Afzelin positively regulates melanogenesis through the p38 MAPK pathway.
Melanogenesis refers to synthesis of the skin pigment melanin, which plays a critical role in the protection of skin against ultraviolet irradiation and oxidative stressors. We investigated the effects of afzelin on melanogenesis and its mechanisms of action in human epidermal melanocytes. In this study, we found that afzelin increased both melanin content and tyrosinase activity in a concentration-dependent manner. While the mRNA levels of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, and tyrosinase-related protein (TRP)-1 increased following afzelin treatment, the mRNA levels of TRP-2 were not affected by afzelin. Likewise, afzelin increased the protein levels of MITF, TRP-1, and tyrosinase but not TRP-2. Mechanistically, we found that afzelin regulated melanogenesis by upregulating MITF through phosphorylation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), independent of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-protein kinase A (PKA) signaling. Taken together, these findings indicate that the promotion of melanogenesis by afzelin occurs through increased MITF gene expression, which is mediated by activation of p38 MAPK, and suggest that afzelin may be useful as a protective agent against ultraviolet irradiation.
Biospectrum Life Science Institute, Seongnam City, 132-16, Gyunggi Do, Republic of Korea.
Eunsun
E
Jung
College of Herbal Bio-Industry, Daegu Haany University, Gyeongsan City, 712-715, Gyeongsangbuk Do, Republic of Korea.
Jin Hee
JH
Kim
Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon City, 164-19, Gyunggi Do, Republic of Korea.
Mi Ok
MO
Kim
Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon City, 164-19, Gyunggi Do, Republic of Korea.
Sunghee
S
Jang
Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon City, 164-19, Gyunggi Do, Republic of Korea.
Mingyeong
M
Kang
Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon City, 164-19, Gyunggi Do, Republic of Korea.
Sae Woong
SW
Oh
COSMAX R&I Center, COSMAX Inc., Seongnam City, 134-86, Gyunggi Do, Republic of Korea.
Youn Hwa
YH
Nho
COSMAX R&I Center, COSMAX Inc., Seongnam City, 134-86, Gyunggi Do, Republic of Korea.
Seung Hyun
SH
Kang
Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Eulji University, Seongnam City, 131-35, Gyunggi Do, Republic of Korea.
Min Hee
MH
Kim
Department of Bio and Chemical Engineering, Hongik University, Sejong City, 300-16, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: shpark74@hongik.ac.kr.
See-Hyoung
SH
Park
Department of Genetic Engineering, College of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon City, 164-19, Gyunggi Do, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: bioneer@skku.edu.
Jongsung
J
Lee
D015153:Blotting, Western; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D007093:Imidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D008362:Mannosides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3 / Q000378:metabolism; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D010858:Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects*; D044945:Proanthocyanidins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects*; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*
D007093:Imidazoles; D008362:Mannosides; D008543:Melanins; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; D044945:Proanthocyanidins; D011725:Pyridines; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C477954:afzelin; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C064056:tyrosinase-related protein-1; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D048031:JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D019950:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 1; D048052:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase 3; D048051:p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; C093642:SB 203580
Afzelin; MITF; Melanogenesis; TRP-1; p38MAPK