title: Regulation of melanin synthesis by the TGF-beta family in B16 melanoma cells.
abstract: Effects of representative members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) family, TGF-beta1, activin A and BMP-2, on melanin content and expression of pigment-producing enzymes were examined in B16 melanoma cells. Treatment with TGF-beta1 or activin A but not with BMP-2 significantly decreased melanin content and expression of Tyrosinase and Tyrp-1, suggesting an inhibitory effect of TGF-beta1 and activin A on melanin synthesis. TGF-beta1 completely inhibited melanin synthesis induced by alpha-melanin stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH), whereas activin A only slightly did. As compared with parental B16 cells, the inhibitory effects of TGF-beta1 and activin A on melanin content were relative smaller in B16 F10 cells, a subline of B16 cells that contain more pigment. The present study indicates that in addition to TGF-beta, activin negatively regulates melanogenesis in the absence of alpha-MSH, but that the activity in the presence of alpha-MSH was slightly different between TGF-beta and activin.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Azabu University School of Veterinary Medicine, Sagamihara, 229-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Masaru
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murakami
authors.forename: Fumihide
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Matsuzaki
authors.forename: Masayuki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Funaba
mesh_terms: D028341:Activins / Q000494:pharmacology; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2 / Q000494:pharmacology; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000032:analysis / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000032:analysis; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000032:analysis; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000494:pharmacology*; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1 / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: C525718:BMP2 protein, human; D055396:Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2; D008543:Melanins; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; C422405:activin A; D028341:Activins; D009074:Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C489799:TYRP1 protein, human; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase