title: Serotonin induces melanogenesis via serotonin receptor 2A.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) levels are increased by light exposure but the role and mechanism of 5-HT in the pigmentation of skin cells are unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To clarify the effect of 5-HT on melanogenesis and to determine the 5-HT receptor subtype involved.
  
  
  METHODS
  B16F10, SK-MEL-2 and Melan-A cells were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium with low fetal bovine serum. The three cell lines were treated with various concentrations of 5-HT, and 5-HT receptor agonists and antagonists. The involvement of the 5-HT receptor 2A (5-HTR2A) was examined by gene silencing and use of 5-HTR2A antagonists.
  
  
  RESULTS
  5-HT and the 5-HTR2A agonist, DOI, increased melanogenesis in the three cell lines. These increased events were suppressed by 5-HTR2A antagonists or gene silencing of the HTR2A gene.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  5-HTR2A is involved in melanogenesis. These findings highlight the role of 5-HT and suggest new ways of controlling melanogenesis.
authors.affiliation: College of Pharmacy, Dongguk University, Seoul 100-715, Korea.
authors.forename: H J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: H Y
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Park Choo
authors.forename: A Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002465:Cell Movement / Q000187:drug effects; D020868:Gene Silencing; D006801:Humans; D008543:Melanins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism; D008545:Melanoma / Q000503:physiopathology; D008548:Melanosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism; D051379:Mice; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D012701:Serotonin / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000502:physiology*; D058826:Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D058830:Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000503:physiopathology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D008543:Melanins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D044402:Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT2A; D058826:Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists; D058830:Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Antagonists; D012701:Serotonin