[The role of melanocytes in protection against photooxidative stress Krystyna Stepień].
Excessive exposure to solar ultraviolet radiation is an essential etiological factor for skin cancer. UV radiation, directly or indirectly through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), causes damage to DNA, proteins and lipids, and induces inflammation and immunosuppression. Cutaneous pigmentation afforded by melanocytes is the main photoprotective mechanism in human skin. In response to UV, melanocytes produce melanin pigments and transfer them to adjacent keratinocytes. This review describes: (i) the photoprotective action of melanin; (ii) the regulation of UV-induced melanogenesis and the role of p53 in this process; (iii) the relation between melanogenic and antioxidant activities in melanocytes. The possible involvement of UV-induced ROS in the stimulation of melanin synthesis is also discussed.
Department of Instrumental Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Silesia, 1 Narcyzów St., 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland. kstepien@sum.edu.pl
Krystyna
K
Stepień
D000975:Antioxidants / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000528:radiation effects; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000502:physiology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
D000975:Antioxidants; D007211:Indoles; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; C009904:melanogen