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Melanosome–iron interactions within retinal pigment epithelium‐derived cells
Author(s) -
Kaczara Patrycja,
Zaręba Mariusz,
Herrnreiter Anja,
Skumatz Christine M. B.,
Żądło Andrzej,
Sarna Tadeusz,
Burke Janice M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pigment cell and melanoma research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1755-148X
pISSN - 1755-1471
DOI - 10.1111/pcmr.12008
Subject(s) - melanosome , melanin , retinal pigment epithelium , microbiology and biotechnology , pigment , oxidative stress , biophysics , chemistry , hydrogen peroxide , cell culture , retinal , epithelium , antioxidant , biochemistry , biology , genetics , organic chemistry
Summary Melanosomes were recently shown to protect ARPE ‐19 cells, a human retinal pigment epithelium ( RPE ) cell line, against oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. One postulated mechanism of antioxidant action of melanin is its ability to bind metal ions. The aim here was to determine whether melanosomes are competent to bind iron within living cells, exhibiting a property previously shown only in model systems. The outcomes indicate retention of prebound iron and accumulation of iron by granules after iron delivery to cells via the culture medium, as determined by both colorimetric and electron spin resonance analyses for bound‐to‐melanosome iron. Manipulation of iron content did not affect the pigment's ability to protect cells against H 2 O 2 , but the function of pigment granules within RPE cells should be extended beyond a role in light irradiation to include participation in iron homeostasis.