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Screening assay using an epigenetic modulator library identifies I10 that promotes melanin synthesis in B16/F10 melanoma cells
Author(s) -
Hwang Yun Jeong,
Boo Yong Chool
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.09957
Subject(s) - microphthalmia associated transcription factor , melanin , tyrosinase , forskolin , epigenetics , melanoma , chemistry , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , pharmacology , biology , enzyme , gene , in vitro , biochemistry
Skin pigmentation is affected by genetic, epigenetic and many other factors, and contributes to human beauty and health. Recent studies reported that certain epigenetic modulators altered the gene expression of enzymes involved in melanin synthesis, suggesting that those drugs may be potentially useful in treating skin hyper‐ or hypo‐pigment disorders. The aim of the present study is to find a drug candidate from an epigenetic drug library that can promote melanin synthesis in cells. Each drug was examined for the stimulatory effects on melanin synthesis in B16F10 murine melanoma cells. Of 141 drugs tested, I10 was selected because it most effectively stimulated melanin synthesis. Like forskolin, an adenylate cyclase activator, I10 increased the mRNA and protein levels of tyrosinase enzyme, the rate‐limiting enzyme involved in melanin synthetic pathway. However, unlike forskolin, I10 did not stimulate the expression of microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF), a key regulator of melanin synthesis. Although much further research is needed, this current study suggests that I10 may promote cellular melanin synthesis through a mechanism that is distinct from that of forskolin, and it may be a new drug candidate for the treatment of skin hypo‐pigmentation disorders such as vitiligo. Support or Funding Information This work was supported by a National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government (Ministry of Science and ICT) (No. 2019R1I1A2A01045132).