title: MMS 1001 inhibits melanin synthesis via ERK activation.
abstract: Melanin plays major a role in pigmentation of hair, eyes, and skin in mammals. In this study, the inhibitory effects of MMS 1001 on alpha-MSH-stimulated melanogenesis were investigated in B16F10 melanoma cells. MMS 1001 did not show cytotoxic effects up to 10 microM. Melanin content and intracellular tyrosinase activity were inhibited by MMS 1001 treatment in a dose-dependent manner. In Western blot analysis, MITF expression was decreased by MMS 1001. In addition, tyrosinase expressions were also reduced after MMS 1001 treatment. Further results showed that the phosphorylation of ERK was induced by MMS 1001. Moreover, a specific MEK inhibitor, PD98059, abrogated the inhibitory effects of MMS 1001 on melanin production and tyrosinase expression. These results indicate that the hypopigmentary effects of MMS 1001 resulted from the inhibition of MITF and tyrosinase expression via phosphorylation of ERK. Thus, MMS 1001 could be developed as a new effective skin-whitening agent.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Jiho
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Song
authors.forename: Su Yeon
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Kyoung-Chan
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Kyung Hoon
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Dong-Seok
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002460:Cell Line; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005419:Flavonoids / Q000494:pharmacology; D007555:Isoxazoles / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000187:drug effects; D008543:Melanins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051379:Mice; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor / Q000235:genetics; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000096:biosynthesis; D010766:Phosphorylation; D010879:Piperazines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D005419:Flavonoids; D007555:Isoxazoles; C581939:MMS 1001; D008543:Melanins; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; C497235:Mitf protein, mouse; D010879:Piperazines; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D048049:Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases; C093973:2-(2-amino-3-methoxyphenyl)-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one