title: ERK Activation by Fucoidan Leads to Inhibition of Melanogenesis in Mel-Ab Cells.
abstract: Fucoidan, a fucose-rich sulfated polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed in the class Phaeophyceae, has been widely studied for its possible health benefits. However, the potential of fucoidan as a possible treatment for hyperpigmentation is not fully understood. This study investigated the effects of fucoidan on melanogenesis and related signaling pathways using Mel-Ab cells. Fucoidan significantly decreased melanin content. While fucoidan treatment decreased tyrosinase activity, it did not do so directly. Western blot analysis indicated that fucoidan downregulated microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and reduced tyrosinase protein expression. Further investigation showed that fucoidan activated the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathway, suggesting a possible mechanism for the inhibition of melanin synthesis. Treatment with PD98059, a specific ERK inhibitor, resulted in the recovery of melanin production. Taken together, these findings suggest that fucoidan inhibits melanogenesis via ERK phosphorylation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 156-756, Korea. ; Department of Convergence Medicine and Pharmaceutical Biosciences, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 156-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Yu Seok
authors.initials: YS
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 156-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Marie Carmel
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Balcos
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 156-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Hye-Young
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Yun
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 156-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Kwang Jin
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Baek
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 156-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Nyoun Soo
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Thomas J. Long School of Pharmacy, University of the Pacific, Stockton, CA 95211, USA.
authors.forename: Myo-Kyoung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine, Seoul 156-756, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Seok
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: ERK; Fucoidan; MITF; Melanogenesis; Tyrosinase