5,6-Dihydroxyindole is a melanin precursor showing potent cytotoxicity

Malignant Melanoma: An Overview, New Perspectives, and Vitamin D Signaling

Melanoma, originating through malignant transformation of melanin-producing melanocytes, is a formidable malignancy, characterized by local invasiveness, recurrence, early metastasis, resistance to therapy, and a high mortality rate. This review discusses etiologic and risk factors for melanoma, diagnostic and prognostic tools, including recent advances in molecular biology, omics, and bioinformatics, and provides an overview of its therapy. Since the incidence of melanoma is rising and mortality remains unacceptably high, we discuss its inherent properties, including melanogenesis, that make this disease resilient to treatment and propose to use AI to solve the above complex and multidimensional problems. We provide an overview on vitamin D and its anticancerogenic properties, and report recent advances in this field that can provide solutions for the prevention and/or therapy of melanoma. Experimental papers and clinicopathological studies on the role of vitamin D status and signaling pathways initiated by its active metabolites in melanoma prognosis and therapy are reviewed. We conclude that vitamin D signaling, defined by specific nuclear receptors and selective activation by specific vitamin D hydroxyderivatives, can provide a benefit for new or existing therapeutic approaches. We propose to target vitamin D signaling with the use of computational biology and AI tools to provide a solution to the melanoma problem.

Molecular Frontiers in Melanoma: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Advances

Melanoma, a highly aggressive skin cancer, is characterized by rapid progression and high mortality. Recent advances in molecular pathogenesis have shed light on genetic and epigenetic changes that drive melanoma development. This review provides an overview of these developments, focusing on molecular mechanisms in melanoma genesis. It highlights how mutations, particularly in the BRAF, NRAS, c-KIT, and GNAQ/GNA11 genes, affect critical signaling pathways. The evolution of diagnostic techniques, such as genomics, transcriptomics, liquid biopsies, and molecular biomarkers for early detection and prognosis, is also discussed. The therapeutic landscape has transformed with targeted therapies and immunotherapies, improving patient outcomes. This paper examines the efficacy, challenges, and prospects of these treatments, including recent clinical trials and emerging strategies. The potential of novel treatment strategies, including neoantigen vaccines, adoptive cell transfer, microbiome interactions, and nanoparticle-based combination therapy, is explored. These advances emphasize the challenges of therapy resistance and the importance of personalized medicine. This review underlines the necessity for evidence-based therapy selection in managing the increasing global incidence of melanoma.

Sustained pigmentation causes DNA damage and invokes translesion polymerase Polκ for repair in melanocytes

Melanin protects skin cells from ultraviolet radiation-induced DNA damage. However, intermediates of eumelanin are highly reactive quinones that are potentially genotoxic. In this study, we systematically investigate the effect of sustained elevation of melanogenesis and map the consequent cellular repair response of melanocytes. Pigmentation increases γH2AX foci, DNA abasic sites, causes replication stress and invokes translesion polymerase Polκ in primary human melanocytes, as well as mouse melanoma cells. Confirming the causal link, CRISPR-based genetic ablation of tyrosinase results in depigmented cells with low Polκ levels. During pigmentation, Polκ activates replication stress response and keeps a check on uncontrolled proliferation of cells harboring melanin-damaged DNA. The mutational landscape observed in human melanoma could in part explain the error-prone bypass of DNA lesions by Polκ, whose absence would lead to genome instability. Thereby, translesion polymerase Polκ is a critical response of pigmenting melanocytes to combat melanin-induced DNA alterations. Our study illuminates the dark side of melanin and identifies (eu)melanogenesis as a key missing link between tanning response and mutagenesis, mediated via the necessary evil translesion polymerase, Polκ.

Melanocyte stem cells and hair graying

OBJECTIVES

To explore the relationship between melanocyte stem cells in the hair follicle bulge and hair graying so as to fully understand their key role in the pathogenesis of hair graying.

METHODS

The published articles about "hair graying, hair color, pigmentation disorders" and "melanocyte stem cells, melanocyte" were searched and analyzed in PubMed to explore their relationship.

RESULTS

Melanocytes in hair bulb are involved in the pathogenesis of hair graying as well as the melanocyte stem cells in hair follicle bulge also play important roles in the formation of hair graying through some ways.

CONCLUSION

Loss of melanocyte stem cells in hair follicle bulge is one of the main reasons of hair graying, and more researches are needed to explain the underlying mechanisms of ectopic differentiation of melanocyte stem cells in different individual.

The CNC-family transcription factor Nrf3 coordinates the melanogenesis cascade through macropinocytosis and autophagy regulation

Melanin is a pigment produced from the amino acid L-tyrosine in melanosomes. The CNC-family transcription factor Nrf3 is expressed in the basal layer of the epidermis, where melanocytes reside, but its melanogenic function is unclear. Here, we show that Nrf3 regulates macropinocytosis and autophagy to coordinate melanogenesis cascade. In response to an exogenous inducer of melanin production, forskolin, Nrf3 upregulates the core melanogenic gene circuit, which includes Mitf, Tyr, Tyrp1, Pmel, and Oca2. Furthermore, Nrf3 induces the gene expression of Cln3, an autophagosome-related factor, for melanin precursor uptake by macropinocytosis. Ulk2 and Gabarapl2 are also identified as Nrf3-target autophagosome-related genes for melanosome formation. In parallel, Nrf3 prompts autolysosomal melanosome degradation for melanocyte survival. An endogenous melanogenic inducer αMSH also activates Nrf3-mediated melanin production, whereas it is suppressed by an HIV-1 protease inhibitor, nelfinavir. These findings indicate the significant role of Nrf3 in the melanogenesis and the anti-melanogenic potential of nelfinavir.

Protein Biochemistry and Molecular Modeling of the Intra-Melanosomal Domain of Human Recombinant Tyrp2 Protein and OCA8-Related Mutant Variants

Tyrosinase-related protein 2 (Tyrp2) is involved in the melanogenesis pathway, catalyzing the tautomerization of dopachrome to 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA). Recently, a new type of albinism was discovered with disease-causing mutations in the TYRP2 gene. Here, for the first time, we characterized the intra-melanosomal protein domain of Tyrp2 (residues 1-474) and missense variants C40S and C61W, which mimic the alterations found in genetic studies. Recombinant proteins were produced in the Trichoplusia Ni (Ti. Ni) larvae, purified by a combination of immobilized metal affinity (IMAC) and gel-filtration (GF) chromatography, and biochemically characterized. The mutants showed the protein expression in the lysates such as the wild type; however, undetectable protein yield after two steps of purification exhibited their misfolding and instability. In addition, the misfolding effect of the mutations was confirmed computationally using homology modeling and molecular docking. Together, experiments in vitro and computer simulations indicated the critical role of the Cys-rich domain in the Tyrp2 protein stability. The results are consistent with molecular modeling, global computational mutagenesis, and clinical data, proving the significance of genetic alterations in cysteine residues, which could cause oculocutaneous albinism type 8.

Melanoma, Melanin, and Melanogenesis: The Yin and Yang Relationship

Melanin pigment plays a critical role in the protection against the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation and other environmental stressors. It is produced by the enzymatic transformation of L-tyrosine to dopaquinone and subsequent chemical and biochemical reactions resulting in the formation of various 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA) and 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI) oligomers-main constituents of eumelanin, and benzothiazine and benzothiazole units of pheomelanin. The biosynthesis of melanin is regulated by sun exposure and by many hormonal factors at the tissue, cellular, and subcellular levels. While the presence of melanin protects against the development of skin cancers including cutaneous melanoma, its presence may be necessary for the malignant transformation of melanocytes. This shows a complex role of melanogenesis in melanoma development defined by chemical properties of melanin and the nature of generating pathways such as eu- and pheomelanogenesis. While eumelanin is believed to provide radioprotection and photoprotection by acting as an efficient antioxidant and sunscreen, pheomelanin, being less photostable, can generate mutagenic environment after exposure to the short-wavelength UVR. Melanogenesis by itself and its highly reactive intermediates show cytotoxic, genotoxic, and mutagenic activities, and it can stimulate glycolysis and hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α) activation, which, combined with their immunosuppressive effects, can lead to melanoma progression and resistance to immunotherapy. On the other hand, melanogenesis-related proteins can be a target for immunotherapy. Interestingly, clinicopathological analyses on advanced melanomas have shown a negative correlation between tumor pigmentation and diseases outcome as defined by overall survival and disease-free time. This indicates a "Yin and Yang" role for melanin and active melanogenesis in melanoma development, progression, and therapy. Furthermore, based on the clinical, experimental data and diverse effects of melanogenesis, we propose that inhibition of melanogenesis in advanced melanotic melanoma represents a realistic adjuvant strategy to enhance immuno-, radio-, and chemotherapy.

Melanization as unfavorable factor in amelanotic melanoma cell biology

The biology of three amelanotic melanoma cell lines (Ab, B16F10, and A375) of different species origin was analyzed during in vitro induced melanization in these cells. Melanin production was induced by DMEM medium characterized by a high level of L-tyrosine (a basic amino acid for melanogenesis). The biodiversity of amelanotic melanoma cells was confirmed by their different responses to melanogenesis induction; Ab hamster melanomas underwent intensive melanization, mouse B16F10 darkened slightly, while human A375 cells did not show any change in melanin content. Highly melanized Ab cells entered a cell death pathway, while slight melanization did not influence cell biology in a significant way. The rapid and high melanization of Ab cells induced apoptosis documented by phosphatidylserine externalization, caspase activation, and mitochondrial energetic state decrease. Melanoma cell type, culture medium, and time of incubation should be taken into consideration during amelanotic melanoma cell culture in vitro. L-tyrosine, as a concentration-dependent factor presented in the culture media, could stimulate some amelanotic melanoma cell lines (Ab, B16F10) to melanin production. The presence of melanin should be considered in the examination of antimelanoma compounds in vitro, because induction of melanin may interfere or be helpful in the treatment of amelanotic melanoma.

Identification of critical amino acid residues in the regulatory N-terminal domain of PMEL

The pigment cell-specific protein PMEL forms a functional amyloid matrix in melanosomes onto which the pigment melanin is deposited. The amyloid core consists of a short proteolytic fragment, which we have termed the core-amyloid fragment (CAF) and perhaps additional parts of the protein, such as the PKD domain. A highly O-glycosylated repeat (RPT) domain also derived from PMEL proteolysis associates with the amyloid and is necessary to establish the sheet-like morphology of the assemblies. Excluded from the aggregate is the regulatory N-terminus, which nevertheless must be linked in cis to the CAF in order to drive amyloid formation. The domain is then likely cleaved away immediately before, during, or immediately after the incorporation of a new CAF subunit into the nascent amyloid. We had previously identified a 21 amino acid long region, which mediates the regulatory activity of the N-terminus towards the CAF. However, many mutations in the respective segment caused misfolding and/or blocked PMEL export from the endoplasmic reticulum, leaving their phenotype hard to interpret. Here, we employ a saturating mutagenesis approach targeting the motif at single amino acid resolution. Our results confirm the critical nature of the PMEL N-terminal region and identify several residues essential for PMEL amyloidogenesis.

Functional Mammalian Amyloids and Amyloid-Like Proteins

Amyloids are highly ordered fibrous cross-β protein aggregates that are notorious primarily because of association with a variety of incurable human and animal diseases (termed amyloidoses), including Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), type 2 diabetes (T2D), and prion diseases. Some amyloid-associated diseases, in particular T2D and AD, are widespread and affect hundreds of millions of people all over the world. However, recently it has become evident that many amyloids, termed “functional amyloids,” are involved in various activities that are beneficial to organisms. Functional amyloids were discovered in diverse taxa, ranging from bacteria to mammals. These amyloids are involved in vital biological functions such as long-term memory, storage of peptide hormones and scaffolding melanin polymerization in animals, substrate attachment, and biofilm formation in bacteria and fungi, etc. Thus, amyloids undoubtedly are playing important roles in biological and pathological processes. This review is focused on functional amyloids in mammals and summarizes approaches used for identifying new potentially amyloidogenic proteins and domains.

Intrinsically disordered proteins in the formation of functional amyloids from bacteria to humans

Amyloids are nanoscopic ordered self-assemblies of misfolded proteins that are formed via aggregation of partially unfolded or intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs) and are commonly linked to devastating human diseases. An enlarging body of recent research has demonstrated that certain amyloids can be beneficial and participate in a wide range of physiological functions from bacteria to humans. These amyloids are termed as functional amyloids. Like disease-associated amyloids, a vast majority of functional amyloids are derived from a range of IDPs or hybrid proteins containing ordered domains and intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs). In this chapter, we describe an account of recent studies on the aggregation behavior of IDPs resulting in the formation of functional amyloids in a diverse range of organisms from bacteria to human. We also discuss the strategies that are used by these organisms to regulate the spatiotemporal amyloid assembly in their physiological functions.

Repeat domain-associated O-glycans govern PMEL fibrillar sheet architecture

PMEL is a pigment cell-specific protein that forms a functional amyloid matrix in melanosomes. The matrix consists of well-separated fibrillar sheets on which the pigment melanin is deposited. Using electron tomography, we demonstrate that this sheet architecture is governed by the PMEL repeat (RPT) domain, which associates with the amyloid as an accessory proteolytic fragment. Thus, the RPT domain is dispensable for amyloid formation as such but shapes the morphology of the matrix, probably in order to maximize the surface area available for pigment adsorption. Although the primary amino acid sequence of the RPT domain differs vastly among various vertebrates, we show that it is a functionally conserved, interchangeable module. RPT domains of all species are predicted to be very highly O-glycosylated, which is likely the common defining feature of this domain. O-glycosylation is indeed essential for RPT domain function and the establishment of the PMEL sheet architecture. Thus, O-glycosylation, not amino acid sequence, appears to be the major factor governing the characteristic PMEL amyloid morphology.

Adhesive coatings based on melanin-like nanoparticles for surgical membranes

Adhesive coatings for implantable biomaterials can be designed to prevent material displacement from the site of implant. In this paper, a strategy based on the use of melanin-like nanoparticles (MNPs) for the development of adhesive coatings for polysaccharidic membranes was devised. MNPs were synthesized in vitro and characterized in terms of dimensions and surface potential, as a function of pH and ionic strength. The in vitro biocompatibility of MNPs was investigated on fibroblast cells, while the antimicrobial properties of MNPs in suspension were evaluated on E. coli and S. aureus cultures. The manufacturing of the adhesive coatings was carried out by spreading MNPs over the surface of polysaccharidic membranes; the adhesive properties of the nano-engineered coating to the target tissue (intestinal serosa) were studied in simulated physiological conditions. Overall, this study opens for novel approaches in the design of naturally inspired nanostructured adhesive systems.

Melanin Precursor 5,6-Dihydroxyindol: Protective Effects and Cytotoxicity on Retinal Cells in vitro and in vivo

5,6-Dihydroxyindole (DHI) is a melanin pigment precursor with antioxidant properties. In the light of a report about cytotoxicity of DHI, the aim of this study was to assess possible toxic effects of DHI on cells related to the eye, such as human ARPE-19 cells and mouse retinal explants. Moreover, DHI was tested on its effects on retinal function in vivo using electroretinography. We found cytotoxicity of DHI against ARPE-19 cells at 100 μM, but not at 10 μM. 10 μM DHI exhibited a slight, though not significant protective activity against UV-A damage in ARPE-19 cells. We found cytoprotection in cultured mouse retinas by 50 μM DHI or its diacetylated derivative 5,6-diacetoxyindole (DAI), respectively. In ERG measurements in vivo, amplitudes were decreased only slightly by 100 μM DHI compared to saline, whereas a better preservation of amplitudes was visible at 10 μM DHI, in particular with respect to cones. In histological sections, more cones were found at 10 μM DHI than at 100 μM DHI. As a conclusion, DHI shows a slight protective effect at 10 μM both in vitro and in vivo. At 100 μM, it shows a strong cytotoxicity in vitro, which is strongly reduced in vivo.

Doxycycline Inducible Melanogenic Vaccinia Virus as Theranostic Anti-Cancer Agent

We reported earlier the diagnostic potential of a melanogenic vaccinia virus based system in magnetic resonance (MRI) and optoacoustic deep tissue imaging (MSOT). Since melanin overproduction lead to attenuated virus replication, we constructed a novel recombinant vaccinia virus strain (rVACV), GLV-1h462, which expressed the key enzyme of melanogenesis (tyrosinase) under the control of an inducible promoter-system. In this study melanin production was detected after exogenous addition of doxycycline in two different tumor xenograft mouse models. Furthermore, it was confirmed that this novel vaccinia virus strain still facilitated signal enhancement as detected by MRI and optoacoustic tomography. At the same time we demonstrated an enhanced oncolytic potential compared to the constitutively melanin synthesizing rVACV system.

Novel SiO2/PDA hybrid coatings to promote osteoblast-like cell expression on titanium implants

A facile preparation route for depositing a SiO₂/polydopamine hybrid layer on a titanium surface to enhance the adhesion, proliferation, differentiation, and mineralization of osteoblasts.

Nano-scale morphology of melanosomes revealed by small-angle X-ray scattering

Melanosomes are highly specialized organelles that produce and store the pigment melanin, thereby fulfilling essential functions within their host organism. Besides having obvious cosmetic consequences – determining the color of skin, hair and the iris – they contribute to photochemical protection from ultraviolet radiation, as well as to vision (by defining how much light enters the eye). Though melanosomes can be beneficial for health, abnormalities in their structure can lead to adverse effects. Knowledge of their ultrastructure will be crucial to gaining insight into the mechanisms that ultimately lead to melanosome-related diseases. However, due to their small size and electron-dense content, physiologically intact melanosomes are recalcitrant to study by common imaging techniques such as light and transmission electron microscopy. In contrast, X-ray-based methodologies offer both high spatial resolution and powerful penetrating capabilities, and thus are well suited to study the ultrastructure of electron-dense organelles in their natural, hydrated form. Here, we report on the application of small-angle X-ray scattering – a method effective in determining the three-dimensional structures of biomolecules – to whole, hydrated murine melanosomes. The use of complementary information from the scattering signal of a large ensemble of suspended organelles and from single, vitrified specimens revealed a melanosomal sub-structure whose surface and bulk properties differ in two commonly used inbred strains of laboratory mice. Whereas melanosomes in C57BL/6J mice have a well-defined surface and are densely packed with 40-nm units, their counterparts in DBA/2J mice feature a rough surface, are more granular and consist of 60-nm building blocks. The fact that these strains have different coat colors and distinct susceptibilities to pigment-related eye disease suggest that these differences in size and packing are of biological significance.

Tyrosine metabolic enzymes from insects and mammals: a comparative perspective

Differences in the metabolism of tyrosine between insects and mammals present an interesting example of molecular evolution. Both insects and mammals possess fine-tuned systems of enzymes to meet their specific demands for tyrosine metabolites; however, more homologous enzymes involved in tyrosine metabolism have emerged in many insect species. Without knowledge of modern genomics, one might suppose that mammals, which are generally more complex than insects and require tyrosine as a precursor for important catecholamine neurotransmitters and for melanin, should possess more enzymes to control tyrosine metabolism. Therefore, the question of why insects actually possess more tyrosine metabolic enzymes is quite interesting. It has long been known that insects rely heavily on tyrosine metabolism for cuticle hardening and for innate immune responses, and these evolutionary constraints are likely the key answers to this question. In terms of melanogenesis, mammals also possess a high level of regulation; yet mammalian systems possess more mechanisms for detoxification whereas insects accelerate pathways like melanogenesis and therefore must bear increased oxidative pressure. Our research group has had the opportunity to characterize the structure and function of many key proteins involved in tyrosine metabolism from both insects and mammals. In this mini review we will give a brief overview of our research on tyrosine metabolic enzymes in the scope of an evolutionary perspective of mammals in comparison to insects.

Age-induced hair greying - the multiple effects of oxidative stress

An obvious sign of ageing is hair greying, or the loss of pigment production and deposition within the hair shafts. Numerous mechanisms, acting at different levels and follicular locations, contribute to hair greying, ranging from melanocyte stem cells defects to follicular melanocyte death. One key issue that is in common to these processes is oxidative damage. At the hair follicle stem cells niche, oxidative stress, accelerated by B-cell lymphoma 2 gene (BCL-2) depletion, leads to selective apoptosis and diminution of melanocyte stem cells, reducing the repopulation of newly formed anagen follicles. Melanotic bulbar melanocytes express high levels of BCL-2 to enable survival from melanogenesis- and ultraviolet A (UVA)-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) attacks. With ageing, the bulbar melanocyte expression of anti-oxidant proteins such as BCL-2, and possibly TRP-2, is reduced, and the dedicated enzymatic anti-oxidant defence system throughout the follicle weakens, resulting in enhanced oxidative stress. A marked reduction in catalase expression and activity results in millimolar accumulation of hydrogen peroxide, contributing to bulbar melanocyte malfunction and death. Interestingly, amelanotic melanocytes at the outer root sheath (ORS) are somewhat less affected by these processes and survive for longer time even within the white, ageing hair follicles. Better understanding of the overtime susceptibility of melanocytes to oxidative stress at the different follicular locations might yield clues to possible therapies for the prevention and reversal of hair greying.

BmPAH catalyzes the initial melanin biosynthetic step in Bombyx mori

Pigmentation during insect development is a primal adaptive requirement. In the silkworm, melanin is the primary component of larval pigments. The rate limiting substrate in melanin synthesis is tyrosine, which is converted from phenylalanine by the rate-limiting enzyme phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAH). While the role of tyrosine, derived from phenylalanine, in the synthesis of fiber proteins has long been known, the role of PAH in melanin synthesis is still unknown in silkworm. To define the importance of PAH, we cloned the cDNA sequence of BmPAH and expressed its complete coding sequence using the Bac-to-Bac baculovirus expression system. Purified recombinant protein had high PAH activity, some tryptophan hydroxylase activity, but no tyrosine hydroxylase activity, which are typical properties of PAH in invertebrates. Because melanin synthesis is most robust during the embryonic stage and larval integument recoloring stage, we injected BmPAH dsRNA into silkworm eggs and observed that decreasing BmPAH mRNA reduced neonatal larval tyrosine and caused insect coloration to fail. In vitro cultures and injection of 4^th instar larval integuments with PAH inhibitor revealed that PAH activity was essential for larval marking coloration. These data show that BmPAH is necessary for melanin synthesis and we propose that conversion of phenylalanine to tyrosine by PAH is the first step in the melanin biosynthetic pathway in the silkworm.

Melanins and melanogenesis: methods, standards, protocols

Despite considerable advances in the past decade, melanin research still suffers from the lack of universally accepted and shared nomenclature, methodologies, and structural models. This paper stems from the joint efforts of chemists, biochemists, physicists, biologists, and physicians with recognized and consolidated expertise in the field of melanins and melanogenesis, who critically reviewed and experimentally revisited methods, standards, and protocols to provide for the first time a consensus set of recommended procedures to be adopted and shared by researchers involved in pigment cell research. The aim of the paper was to define an unprecedented frame of reference built on cutting-edge knowledge and state-of-the-art methodology, to enable reliable comparison of results among laboratories and new progress in the field based on standardized methods and shared information.

Engineering specialized metabolic pathways--is there a room for enzyme improvements?

Recent advances in enzyme engineering enable dramatic improvements in catalytic efficiency and/or selectivity, as well as de novo engineering of enzymes to catalyze reactions where natural enzymes are not available. Can these capabilities be utilized to transform biosynthesis pathways? Metabolic engineering is traditionally based on combining existing enzymes to give new, or modified, pathways, within a new context and/or organism. How efficient, however, are the individual enzyme components? Is there room to improve pathway performance by enzyme engineering? We discuss the differences between enzymes in central versus specialized, or secondary metabolism and highlight unique features of specialized metabolism enzymes participating in the synthesis of natural products. We argue that, for the purpose of metabolic engineering, the catalytic efficiency and selectivity of many enzymes can be improved with the aim of achieving higher rates, yields and product purities. We also note the relative abundance of spontaneous reactions in specialized metabolism, and the potential advantage of engineering enzymes that will catalyze these steps. Specialized metabolism therefore offers new opportunities to integrate enzyme and pathway engineering, thereby achieving higher metabolic efficiencies, enhanced production rates and improved product purities.

Distribution maps of D-dopachrome tautomerase in the mouse brain

D-Dopachrome tautomerase is an enzyme related by amino acid sequence and catalytic activity to macrophage migration inhibitory factor. Both of these small molecules are pro-inflammatory cytokines mediating broad innate immune responses. Although it is well established that the gene product of D-dopachrome tautomerase is widely expressed in liver and kidney cells, no study has mapped the distribution pattern of this tautomeric enzyme in the mammalian nervous system. Here, we address this void by characterizing the cellular localization of D-dopachrome tautomerase in the adult mouse brain. Two well-characterized polyclonal antibodies were used for Western blotting and immunohistochemical localization of the endogenous tautomeric enzyme. Our results show that D-dopachrome tautomerase is present throughout the brain parenchyma with a large fraction of heterogeneous interneurons harboring a stable and robust expression of the enzyme. These data point to a potential involvement of D-dopachrome tautomerase activity in the mature mouse brain, and suggest some functional and evolutionary relationship between innate immunity and tautomerization of D-dopachrome in mammalian species.

Brain region specific mitophagy capacity could contribute to selective neuronal vulnerability in Parkinson's disease

Parkinson's disease (PD) is histologically well defined by its characteristic degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta. Remarkably, divergent PD-related mutations can generate comparable brain region specific pathologies. This indicates that some intrinsic region-specificity respecting differential neuron vulnerability exists, which codetermines the disease progression. To gain insight into the pathomechanism of PD, we investigated protein expression and protein oxidation patterns of three different brain regions in a PD mouse model, the PINK1 knockout mice (PINK1-KO), in comparison to wild type control mice. The dysfunction of PINK1 presumably affects mitochondrial turnover by disturbing mitochondrial autophagic pathways. The three brain regions investigated are the midbrain, which is the location of substantia nigra; striatum, the major efferent region of substantia nigra; and cerebral cortex, which is more distal to PD pathology. In all three regions, mitochondrial proteins responsible for energy metabolism and membrane potential were significantly altered in the PINK1-KO mice, but with very different region specific accents in terms of up/down-regulations. This suggests that disturbed mitophagy presumably induced by PINK1 knockout has heterogeneous impacts on different brain regions. Specifically, the midbrain tissue seems to be most severely hit by defective mitochondrial turnover, whereas cortex and striatum could compensate for mitophagy nonfunction by feedback stimulation of other catabolic programs. In addition, cerebral cortex tissues showed the mildest level of protein oxidation in both PINK1-KO and wild type mice, indicating either a better oxidative protection or less reactive oxygen species (ROS) pressure in this brain region. Ultra-structural histological examination in normal mouse brain revealed higher incidences of mitophagy vacuoles in cerebral cortex than in striatum and substantia nigra. Taken together, the delicate balance between oxidative protection and mitophagy capacity in different brain regions could contribute to brain region-specific pathological patterns in PD.

Antiviral, anti-parasitic, and cytotoxic effects of 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI), a reactive compound generated by phenoloxidase during insect immune response

Phenoloxidase (PO) and its activation system are implicated in several defense responses of insects. Upon wounding or infection, inactive prophenoloxidase (proPO) is converted to active PO through a cascade of serine proteases and their homologs. PO generates reactive compounds such as 5,6-dihydroxyindole (DHI), which have a broad-spectrum antibacterial and antifungal activity. Here we report that DHI and its spontaneous oxidation products are also active against viruses and parasitic wasps. Preincubation of a baculovirus stock with 1.25 mM DHI for 3 h near fully disabled recombinant protein production. The LC₅₀ for lambda bacteriophage and eggs of the wasp Microplitis demolitor were 5.6 ± 2.2 and 111.0 ± 1.6 μM, respectively. The toxicity of DHI and related compounds also extended to cells derived from insects that serve as hosts for several of the aforementioned pathogens. Pretreatment of Sf9 cells with 1.0 mM DHI for 4 h resulted in 97% mortality, and LC₅₀ values of 20.3 ± 1.2 μM in buffer and 131.8 ± 1.1 μM in a culture medium. Symptoms of DHI toxicity in Sf9 cells included DNA polymerization, protein crosslinking, and lysis. Taken together, these data showed that proPO activation and DHI production is strongly toxic against various pathogens but can also damage host tissues and cells if not properly controlled.

Melanization in living organisms: a perspective of species evolution

Eumelanin is a heteropolymer that is generally composed of hydroxylated indole residues and plays diverse protective functions in various species. Melanin is derived from the amino acid tyrosine and production of melanin is a highly complex oxidative process with a number of steps that can either proceed enzymatically or non-enzymatically. Although melanin plays important protective roles in many species, during melanization, particularly in steps that can proceed non-enzymatically, many toxic intermediates are produced, including semiquinones, dopaquinone, indole-quinones and moreover, the production of many reactive oxygen species. To mitigate the production of reactive species, a number of proteins that regulate the biochemical process of melanization have evolved in various living species, which is closely related to adaptation and physiological requirements. In this communication, we discuss differences between non-enzymatic and enzymatic processes of melanization and the enzymatic regulation of melanization in difference species with an emphasis on differences between mammals and insects. Comparison between melanization and insect sclerotization is also emphasized which raises some interesting questions about the current models of these pathways.

Purification and N-glycosylation analysis of melanoma antigen dopachrome tautomerase

Dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) plays a critical role in lowering the oxidative stress resulting from melanogenesis. Levels of DCT are elevated in melanoma cell lines that are especially resistant to chemotherapy and radiation. DCT is processed as a melanoma antigen and is a potential target for immunotherapy. In order to establish a more complete understanding of the role that DCT may play in the etiology and treatment of melanoma skin cancer, isolation of highly pure and properly processed protein is necessary. Purification of native DCT has been problematic due to a hydrophobic transmembrane anchor and interactions with melanin. In this study, DCT was expressed, without its carboxy-terminal transmembrane region using an Sf9 insect cell protein expression system and its recombinant protein was purified by various chromatographic techniques. Analysis of DCT tryptic peptides by MALDI-TOF/TOF determined N-glycosylation as a primary post-translational modification. Our success in the expression of soluble mammalian DCT and the characterization of N-glycosylation sites is a useful reference toward the comprehensive understanding of the structure/function relationship of mammalian DCT.

Elevated oxidative membrane damage associated with genetic modifiers of Lyst-mutant phenotypes

LYST is a large cytosolic protein that influences the biogenesis of lysosome-related organelles, and mutation of the encoding gene, LYST, can cause Chediak-Higashi syndrome. Recently, Lyst-mutant mice were recognized to also exhibit an iris disease resembling exfoliation syndrome, a common cause of glaucoma in humans. Here, Lyst-mutant iris phenotypes were used in a search for genes that influence Lyst pathways. In a candidate gene–driven approach, albino Lyst-mutant mice homozygous for a mutation in Tyr, whose product is key to melanin synthesis within melanosomes, exhibited complete rescue of Lyst-mutant iris phenotypes. In a genetic background–driven approach using a DBA/2J strain of congenic mice, an interval containing Tyrp1 enhanced Lyst-dependent iris phenotypes. Thus, both experimental approaches implicated the melanosome, an organelle that is a potential source of oxidative stress, as contributing to the disease phenotype. Confirming an association with oxidative damage, Lyst mutation resulted in genetic context–sensitive changes in iris lipid hydroperoxide levels, being lowest in albino and highest in DBA/2J mice. Surprisingly, the DBA/2J genetic background also exposed a late-onset neurodegenerative phenotype involving cerebellar Purkinje-cell degeneration. These results identify an association between oxidative damage to lipid membranes and the severity of Lyst-mutant phenotypes, revealing a new mechanism that contributes to pathophysiology involving LYST.

LYST is a poorly understood protein involved in hereditary disease. Mutations in the encoding gene cause Chediak-Higashi syndrome, a rare lethal disease affecting multiple tissues of the body. Mutations in Lyst also recapitulate features of exfoliation syndrome, a common disease affecting the anterior chamber of the eye. Unfortunately, the Lyst gene is quite large, rendering it difficult to study by many molecular and cellular approaches. Here, we use a genetic approach in mice to identify additional genetic pathways which might modify, or prevent, the ill consequences associated with Lyst mutation. Our experiments demonstrate that Lyst mutation results in elevated levels of oxidative damage to lipid membranes. These results identify a previously unrecognized consequence of Lyst mutation and a modifiable pathway of potential clinical relevance in humans. Ultimately, knowledge of these events will contribute to the design of new therapeutic strategies allowing a similar alleviation of disease in humans.

Biochemical mechanism of acetaminophen (APAP) induced toxicity in melanoma cell lines

In this work, we investigated the biochemical mechanism of acetaminophen (APAP) induced toxicity in SK-MEL-28 melanoma cells using tyrosinase enzyme as a molecular cancer therapeutic target. Our results showed that APAP was metabolized 87% by tyrosinase at 2 h incubation. AA and NADH, quinone reducing agents, were significantly depleted during APAP oxidation by tyrosinase. The IC(50) (48 h) of APAP towards SK-MEL-28, MeWo, SK-MEL-5, B16-F0, and B16-F10 melanoma cells was 100 microM whereas it showed no significant toxicity towards BJ, Saos-2, SW-620, and PC-3 nonmelanoma cells, demonstrating selective toxicity towards melanoma cells. Dicoumarol, a diaphorase inhibitor, and 1-bromoheptane, a GSH depleting agent, enhanced APAP toxicity towards SK-MEL-28 cells. AA and GSH were effective in preventing APAP induced melanoma cell toxicity. Trifluoperazine and cyclosporin A, inhibitors of permeability transition pore in mitochondria, significantly prevented APAP melanoma cell toxicity. APAP caused time and dose-dependent decline in intracellular GSH content in SK-MEL-28, which preceded cell toxicity. APAP led to ROS formation in SK-MEL-28 cells which was exacerbated by dicoumarol and 1-bromoheptane whereas cyslosporin A and trifluoperazine prevented it. Our investigation suggests that APAP is a tyrosinase substrate, and that intracellular GSH depletion, ROS formation and induced mitochondrial toxicity contributed towards APAP's selective toxicity in SK-MEL-28 cells.

Iris phenotypes and pigment dispersion caused by genes influencing pigmentation

Spontaneous mutations altering mouse coat colors have been a classic resource for discovery of numerous molecular pathways. Although often overlooked, the mouse iris is also densely pigmented and easily observed, thus representing a similarly powerful opportunity for studying pigment cell biology. Here, we present an analysis of iris phenotypes among 16 mouse strains with mutations influencing melanosomes. Many of these strains exhibit biologically and medically relevant phenotypes, including pigment dispersion, a common feature of several human ocular diseases. Pigment dispersion was identified in several strains with mutant alleles known to influence melanosomes, including beige, light, and vitiligo. Pigment dispersion was also detected in the recently arising spontaneous coat color variant, nm2798. We have identified the nm2798 mutation as a missense mutation in the Dct gene, an identical re-occurrence of the slaty light mutation. These results suggest that dysregulated events of melanosomes can be potent contributors to the pigment dispersion phenotype. Combined, these findings illustrate the utility of studying iris phenotypes as a means of discovering new pathways, and re-linking old ones, to processes of pigmented cells in health and disease.

Functional amyloid--from bacteria to humans

Amyloid--a fibrillar, cross beta-sheet quaternary structure--was first discovered in the context of human disease and tissue damage, and was thought to always be detrimental to the host. Recent studies have identified amyloid fibers in bacteria, fungi, insects, invertebrates and humans that are functional. For example, human Pmel17 has important roles in the biosynthesis of the pigment melanin, and the factor XII protein of the hemostatic system is activated by amyloid. Functional amyloidogenesis in these systems requires tight regulation to avoid toxicity. A greater understanding of the diverse physiological applications of this fold has the potential to provide a fresh perspective for the treatment of amyloid diseases.

Cell death of melanophores in zebrafish trpm7 mutant embryos depends on melanin synthesis

Transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) is a broadly expressed, non-selective cation channel. Studies in cultured cells implicate TRPM7 in regulation of cell growth, spreading, and survival. However, zebrafish trpm7 homozygous mutants display death of melanophores and temporary paralysis, but no gross morphological defects during embryonic stages. This phenotype implies that melanophores are unusually sensitive to decreases in Trpm7 levels, a hypothesis we investigate here. We find that pharmacological inhibition of caspases does not rescue melanophore viability in trpm7 mutants, implying that melanophores die by a mechanism other than apoptosis. Consistent with this possibility, ultrastructural analysis of dying melanophores in trpm7 mutants reveals abnormal melanosomes and evidence of a ruptured plasma membrane, indicating that cell death occurs by necrosis. Interestingly, inhibition of melanin synthesis largely prevents melanophore cell death in trpm7 mutants. These results suggest that melanophores require Trpm7 in order to detoxify intermediates of melanin synthesis. We find that unlike TRPM1, TRPM7 is expressed in human melanoma cell lines, indicating that these cells may also be sensitized to reduction of TRPM7 levels.

Scanning transmission X-ray microscopic analysis of purified melanosomes of the mouse iris

Melanosomes are specialized intracellular membrane bound organelles that produce and store melanin pigment. The composition of melanin and distribution of melanosomes determine the color of many mammalian tissues, including the hair, skin, and iris. However, the presence of melanosomes within a tissue carries potentially detrimental risks related to the cytotoxic indole-quinone intermediates produced during melanin synthesis. In order to study melanosomal molecules, including melanin and melanin-related intermediates, we have refined methods allowing spectromicroscopic analysis of purified melanosomes using scanning transmission X-ray microscopy. Here, we present for the first time absorption data for melanosomes at the carbon absorption edge ranging from 284 to 290 eV. High-resolution images of melanosomes at discrete energies demonstrate that fully melanized mature melanosomes are internally non-homogeneous, suggesting the presence of an organized internal sub-structure. Spectra of purified melanosomes are complex, partially described by a predominating absorption band at 288.4 eV with additional contributions from several minor bands. Differences in these spectra were detectable between samples from two strains of inbred mice known to harbor genetically determined melanosomal differences, DBA/2J and C57BL/6J, and are likely to represent signatures arising from biologically relevant and tractable phenomena.

Oral zinc sulphate causes murine hair hypopigmentation and is a potent inhibitor of eumelanogenesis in vivo

BACKGROUND

C57BL/6 a/a mice have been widely used to study melanogenesis, including in electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies. Zinc cations modulate melanogenesis, but the net effect of Zn2+ in vivo is unclear, as the reported effects of Zn2+ on melanogenesis are ambiguous: zinc inhibits tyrosinase and glutathione reductase in vitro, but also enhances the activity of dopachrome tautomerase (tyrosinase-related protein-2) and has agonistic effects on melanocortin receptor signalling.

OBJECTIVES

To determine in a C57BL/6 a/a murine pilot study whether excess zinc ions inhibit, enhance or in any other way alter hair follicle melanogenesis in vivo, and to test the usefulness of EPR for this study.

METHODS

ZnSO(4).7H2O was continuously administered orally to C57BL/6 a/a mice during spontaneous and depilation-induced hair follicle cycling (20 mg mL-1; in drinking water; mean+/-SD daily dose 1.2+/-0.53 mL), and hair pigmentation was examined macroscopically, by routine histology and by EPR.

RESULTS

Oral zinc cations induced a bright brown lightening of new hair shafts produced during anagen, but without inducing an EPR-detectable switch from eumelanogenesis to phaeomelanogenesis. The total content of melanin in the skin and hair shafts during the subsequent telogen phase, i.e. after completion of a full hair cycle, was significantly reduced in Zn-treated mice (P=0.0005). Compared with controls, melanin granules in precortical hair matrix keratinocytes, hair bulb melanocytes and hair shafts of zinc-treated animals were reduced and poorly pigmented. Over the course of several hair cycles, lasting hair shaft depigmentation was seen during long-term exposure to high-dose oral Zn2+.

CONCLUSIONS

High-dose oral Zn2+ is a potent downregulator of eumelanin content in murine hair shafts in vivo. The C57BL/6 mouse model offers an excellent tool for further dissecting the as yet unclear underlying molecular basis of this phenomenon, while EPR technology is well suited for the rapid, qualitative and quantitative monitoring of hair pigmentation changes.

Genetic context determines susceptibility to intraocular pressure elevation in a mouse pigmentary glaucoma

BACKGROUND

DBA/2J (D2) mice develop an age-related form of glaucoma. Their eyes progressively develop iris pigment dispersion and iris atrophy followed by increased intraocular pressure (IOP) and glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Mutant alleles of the Gpnmb and Tyrp1 genes are necessary for the iris disease, but it is unknown whether alleles of other D2 gene(s) are necessary for the distinct later stages of disease. We initiated a study of congenic strains to further define the genetic requirements and disease mechanisms of the D2 glaucoma.

RESULTS

To further understand D2 glaucoma, we created congenic strains of mice on the C57BL/6J (B6) genetic background. B6 double-congenic mice carrying D2-derived Gpnmb and Tyrp1 mutations develop a D2-like iris disease. B6 single-congenics with only the Gpnmb and Tyrp1 mutations develop milder forms of iris disease. Genetic epistasis experiments introducing a B6 tyrosinase mutation into the congenic strains demonstrated that both the single and double-congenic iris diseases are rescued by interruption of melanin synthesis. Importantly, our experiments analyzing mice at ages up to 27 months indicate that the B6 double-congenic mice are much less prone to IOP elevation and glaucoma than are D2 mice.

CONCLUSION

As demonstrated here, the Gpnmb and Tyrp1 iris phenotypes are both individually dependent on tyrosinase function. These results support involvement of abnormal melanosomal events in the diseases caused by each gene. In the context of the inbred D2 mouse strain, the glaucoma phenotype is clearly influenced by more genes than just Gpnmb and Tyrp1. Despite the outward similarity of pigment-dispersing iris disease between D2 and the B6 double-congenic mice, the congenic mice are much less susceptible to developing high IOP and glaucoma. These new congenic strains provide a valuable new resource for further studying the genetic and mechanistic complexity of this form of glaucoma.

Human glioblastoma ADF cells express tyrosinase, L-tyrosine hydroxylase and melanosomes and are sensitive to L-tyrosine and phenylthiourea

Melanocytes and neuroblasts share the property of transforming L-tyrosine through two distinct metabolic pathways leading to melanogenesis and catecholamine synthesis, respectively. While tyrosinase (TYR) activity has been shown to be expressed by neuroblastoma it remains to be established as to whether also glioblastomas cells are endowed with this property. We have addressed this issue using the human continuous glioblastoma cell line ADF. We demonstrated that these cells possess tyrosinase as well as L-tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) activity and synthesize melanosomes. Because the two pathways are potentially cyto-genotoxic due to production of quinones, semiquinones, and reactive oxygen species (ROS), we have also investigated the expression of the peroxisomal proliferators activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) and nuclear factor-kB (NFkB) transcription factor as well the effect of L-tyrosine concentration on cell survival. We report that L-tyrosine down-regulates PPARalpha expression in ADF cells but not neuroblastoma and that this aminoacid and phenylthiourea (PTU) induces apoptosis in glioblastoma and neuroblastoma.

Functional amyloid formation within mammalian tissue

Amyloid is a generally insoluble, fibrous cross-β sheet protein aggregate. The process of amyloidogenesis is associated with a variety of neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer, Parkinson, and Huntington disease. We report the discovery of an unprecedented functional mammalian amyloid structure generated by the protein Pmel17. This discovery demonstrates that amyloid is a fundamental nonpathological protein fold utilized by organisms from bacteria to humans. We have found that Pmel17 amyloid templates and accelerates the covalent polymerization of reactive small molecules into melanin—a critically important biopolymer that protects against a broad range of cytotoxic insults including UV and oxidative damage. Pmel17 amyloid also appears to play a role in mitigating the toxicity associated with melanin formation by sequestering and minimizing diffusion of highly reactive, toxic melanin precursors out of the melanosome. Intracellular Pmel17 amyloidogenesis is carefully orchestrated by the secretory pathway, utilizing membrane sequestration and proteolytic steps to protect the cell from amyloid and amyloidogenic intermediates that can be toxic. While functional and pathological amyloid share similar structural features, critical differences in packaging and kinetics of assembly enable the usage of Pmel17 amyloid for normal function. The discovery of native Pmel17 amyloid in mammals provides key insight into the molecular basis of both melanin formation and amyloid pathology, and demonstrates that native amyloid (amyloidin) may be an ancient, evolutionarily conserved protein quaternary structure underpinning diverse pathways contributing to normal cell and tissue physiology.

The authors show that native Pmel17 amyloid found in mammalian melanosomes accelerates melanin synthesis.

Role of dopachrome conversion enzyme in the melanization of filarial worms in mosquitoes

Melanization is an effective defence reaction of mosquito hosts against invading parasites. In mosquitoes, the biosynthesis of melanin is initiated by the hydroxylation of tyrosine to DOPA by phenoloxidase (PO). DOPA is a branch point of the melanization reaction; it may be oxidized to dopaquinone by PO or be decarboxylated to dopamine by dopa decarboxylase. Further oxidation of dopaquinone by PO produces dopachrome. Dopachrome is then converted to 5, 6-dihydroxyindole by dopachrome conversion enzyme (DCE) to produce melanin. The conversion of dopachrome is a rate-limiting step of the melanization reaction, and the presence of PO and DCE significantly accelerates melanization reactions. In this study, a cDNA encoding DCE was cloned from the mosquito Armigeres subalbatus. Real-time PCR analysis revealed increased transcripts from haemocytes in microfilariae (mf)-inoculated mosquitoes. Gene silencing using double-stranded RNA was used to elucidate the role of DCE in the melanization reaction of parasites in Ar. subalbatus. The levels of both DCE transcripts and protein in gene knockdown mosquitoes were dramatically reduced. Compared with controls, the degree of melanization of mf in DCE-knockdown mosquitoes was significantly decreased. These results suggest that DCE is a critical enzyme that is required for effective melanization immune responses.

COMPLEX GENETICS OF GLAUCOMA SUSCEPTIBILITY

Glaucoma describes a group of diseases that kill retinal ganglion cells. There are different types of glaucoma, and each appears to be genetically heterogeneous. Different glaucoma genes have been identified, but these genes account for only a small proportion of glaucoma. Most glaucoma cases appear to be multifactorial, and are likely affected by multiple interacting loci. A number of genetic susceptibility factors have been suggested to contribute to glaucoma. These factors fit into two broad groups, those affecting intraocular pressure and those important in modulating retinal ganglion cell viability. Defining the complex genetics of glaucoma will require significant further study of the human disease and animal models. Genetic approaches are essential and will be enhanced by recently developed genomic and proteomic technologies. These technologies will provide valuable clues about pathogenesis for subsequent testing. In this review, we focus on endogenous genetic susceptibility factors and on how experimental studies will be valuable for dissecting the multifactorial complexity of their interactions.

Melanogenesis and associated cytotoxic reactions: applications to insect innate immunity

Insects transmit the causative agents for such debilitating diseases as malaria, lymphatic filariases, sleeping sickness, Chagas' disease, leishmaniasis, river blindness, Dengue, and yellow fever. The persistence of these diseases provides testimony to the genetic capacity of parasites to evolve strategies that ensure their successful development in two genetically diverse host species: insects and mammals. Current efforts to address the problems posed by insect-borne diseases benefit from a growing understanding of insect and mammalian immunity. Of considerable interest are recent genomic investigations that show several similarities in the innate immune effector responses and associated regulatory mechanisms manifested by insects and mammals. One notable exception, however, is the nearly universal presence of a brown-black pigment accompanying cellular innate immunity in insects. This response, which is unique to arthropods and certain other invertebrates, has focused attention on the elements involved in pigment synthesis as causing or contributing to the death of the parasite, and has even prompted speculation that the enzyme cascade mediating melanogenesis constitutes an ill-defined recognition mechanism. Experimental evidence defining the role of melanin and its precursors in insect innate immunity is severely lacking. A great deal of what is known about melanogenesis comes from studies of the process occurring in mammalian systems, where the pigment is synthesized by such diverse cells as those comprising portions of the skin, hair, inner ear, brain, and retinal epithelium. Fortunately, many of the components in the metabolic pathways leading to the formation of melanin have been found to be common to both insects and mammals. This review examines some of the factors that influence enzyme-mediated melanogenic responses, and how these responses likely contribute to blood cell-mediated, target-specific cytotoxicity in immune challenged insects.