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Red human hair pheomelanin is a potent pro‐oxidant mediating UV ‐independent contributory mechanisms of melanomagenesis
Author(s) -
Panzella Lucia,
Leone Loredana,
Greco Giorgia,
Vitiello Giuseppe,
D'Errico Gerardino,
Napolitano Alessandra,
d'Ischia Marco
Publication year - 2014
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.12199
Subject(s) - melanin , chemistry , oxidative stress , reactive oxygen species , glutathione , pro oxidant , pigment , melanocyte , phenotype , microbiology and biotechnology , biochemistry , melanoma , enzyme , biology , cancer research , gene , organic chemistry
Summary The highest incidence of melanoma in red haired individuals is attributed to the synthesis and phototoxic properties of pheomelanin pigments. Recently, pheomelanin has also been implicated in UV ‐independent pathways of oxidative stress; however, the underlying mechanisms have remained uncharted. Herein, we disclose the unprecedented property of purified red human hair pheomelanin ( RHP ) to promote (i) the oxygen‐dependent depletion of major cell antioxidants, for example glutathione and NADH ; (ii) the autoxidative formation of melanin pigments from their precursors. RHP would thus behave as a unique ‘living’ polymer and biocatalyst that may grow by simple exposure to monomer building blocks and may trigger autoxidative processes. These results yield new clues as to the origin of the pro‐oxidant state in the red hair phenotype, uncover non‐enzymatic pathways of melanogenesis, and pave the way to innovative strategies for melanoma prevention.