title: Zeolite 4A, a synthetic silicate, suppresses melanogenesis through the degradation of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor by extracellular signal-regulated kinase activation in B16F10 melanoma cells.
abstract: Zeolite 4A, synthetic silicate, has been shown to exhibit diverse biological activities such as anti-cancer and anti-oxidant activity. In the present study, we report that the zeolite 4A may improve skin-whitening. We found that zeolite 4A inhibited melanin production in a dose-dependent manner, which has not cytotoxicity. Zeolite 4A also inhibited alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (alpha-MSH)-induced melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells. Interestingly, zeolite 4A decreased alpha-MSH-induced tyrosinase activity in B16F10 cells, which did not inhibit tyrosinase activity under cell-free conditions. The results of this study indicate that zeolite 4A may reduce pigmentation by way of an indirect nonenzymatic mechanism. We also found that zeolite 4A decreased alpha-MSH-induced microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase expression and that zeolite 4A induced the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). These results suggest that the depigmenting effect of zeolite 4A may result from the down-regulation of MITF and tyrosinase expression by increasing ERK activity. The results thus provide evidence that zeolite 4A can be used as a potential skin-whitening agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology and Ischemic/Hypoxic Disease Institute, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong Jae
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Chang-Soo
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Chang Seok
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Hong-Sook
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Seong-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Seung Kyun
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Hwang
authors.forename: Seong-Gyu
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Jong Wook
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.forename: Sang-Kyu
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Myung-Hee
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008545:Melanoma; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000235:genetics; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D012867:Skin / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D017641:Zeolites / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000521:alpha-MSH / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors*
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; D017641:Zeolites; D000521:alpha-MSH; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases