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Slominski RM, Kim TK, Janjetovic Z, Brożyna AA, Podgorska E, Dixon KM, Mason RS, Tuckey RC, Sharma R, Crossman DK, Elmets C, Raman C, Jetten AM, Indra AK, Slominski AT. Malignant Melanoma: An Overview, New Perspectives, and Vitamin D Signaling. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:2262. [PMID: 38927967 PMCID: PMC11201527 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16122262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radomir M. Slominski
- Department of Rheumatology and Clinical Immunology, Department of Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Tae-Kang Kim
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (T.-K.K.); (Z.J.); (E.P.); (C.E.); (C.R.)
| | - Zorica Janjetovic
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (T.-K.K.); (Z.J.); (E.P.); (C.E.); (C.R.)
| | - Anna A. Brożyna
- Department of Human Biology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
| | - Ewa Podgorska
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (T.-K.K.); (Z.J.); (E.P.); (C.E.); (C.R.)
| | - Katie M. Dixon
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (K.M.D.); (R.S.M.)
| | - Rebecca S. Mason
- School of Medical Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2050, Australia; (K.M.D.); (R.S.M.)
| | - Robert C. Tuckey
- School of Molecular Sciences, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia;
| | - Rahul Sharma
- Department of Biomedical Informatics and Data Science, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - David K. Crossman
- Department of Genetics and Bioinformatics, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA;
| | - Craig Elmets
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (T.-K.K.); (Z.J.); (E.P.); (C.E.); (C.R.)
| | - Chander Raman
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (T.-K.K.); (Z.J.); (E.P.); (C.E.); (C.R.)
| | - Anton M. Jetten
- Cell Biology Section, NIEHS—National Institutes of Health, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709, USA;
| | - Arup K. Indra
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA
- Department of Dermatology, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
- Knight Cancer Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, OR 97239, USA
| | - Andrzej T. Slominski
- Department of Dermatology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA; (T.-K.K.); (Z.J.); (E.P.); (C.E.); (C.R.)
- Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA
- Pathology and Laboratory Medicine Service, Veteran Administration Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35233, USA
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2
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Chen R, Niu L, Wu L, He Y, Liu G, Hong K. Identification of an endoplasmic reticulum stress-associated gene signature to predict the immune status and prognosis of cutaneous melanoma. Medicine (Baltimore) 2022; 101:e30280. [PMID: 36086718 PMCID: PMC10980369 DOI: 10.1097/md.0000000000030280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Besides protecting normal cells from various internal and external perturbations, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is also directly related to the pathogenesis of cutaneous melanoma (CM). However, due to the lack of specific molecular biomarkers, ER stress has not been considered a novel treatment target for CM. Here, we identified ER stress-related genes involved in the prognosis of CM patients and constructed an effective model for the prognostic prediction of these patients. First, gene expression data of CM and normal skin tissues from the Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) databases were retrieved to identify differentially expressed ER stress-related genes in CM. Meanwhile, an independent cohort obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database was used for validation. The ER stress genes (ZBP1, DIABLO, GNLY, FASLG, AURKA, TNFRSF21, and CD40LG) that were associated with CM prognosis were incorporated into our prognostic model. The functional analyses indicated that the prognostic model was correlated with patient survival, gender, and cancer growth. Multivariate and univariate Cox regressions revealed that the constructed model could serve as an independent prognostic factor for CM patients. The pathway enrichment analysis showed that the risk model was enriched in different immunity and cancer progression-associated pathways. Moreover, the signature model was significantly connected with the immune subtypes, infiltration of immune cells, immune microenvironment, as well as tumor stem cells. The gene function analysis revealed that 7 ER stress genes were differentially expressed in CM patients and were significantly associated with prognosis and several antitumor drugs. Overall, our current model presented predictive value for the prognosis of CM patients and can be further used in the development of novel therapeutic strategies for CM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rong Chen
- Department of Hand Plastic Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Linping District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Linjun Niu
- Department of Oncology, Huaibei People’s Hospital, Anhui, China
| | - Liang Wu
- Department of Hand Plastic Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Linping District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Youwu He
- Department of Hand Plastic Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Linping District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Gang Liu
- Department of Hand Plastic Surgery, The First People’s Hospital of Linping District, Hangzhou, China
| | - Kangjie Hong
- Department of Neurology, Chun’an First People’s Hospital, Hangzhou, China
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3
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Cabaço LC, Tomás A, Pojo M, Barral DC. The Dark Side of Melanin Secretion in Cutaneous Melanoma Aggressiveness. Front Oncol 2022; 12:887366. [PMID: 35619912 PMCID: PMC9128548 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.887366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Skin cancers are among the most common cancers worldwide and are increasingly prevalent. Cutaneous melanoma (CM) is characterized by the malignant transformation of melanocytes in the epidermis. Although CM shows lower incidence than other skin cancers, it is the most aggressive and responsible for the vast majority of skin cancer-related deaths. Indeed, 75% of patients present with invasive or metastatic tumors, even after surgical excision. In CM, the photoprotective pigment melanin, which is produced by melanocytes, plays a central role in the pathology of the disease. Melanin absorbs ultraviolet radiation and scavenges reactive oxygen/nitrogen species (ROS/RNS) resulting from the radiation exposure. However, the scavenged ROS/RNS modify melanin and lead to the induction of signature DNA damage in CM cells, namely cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, which are known to promote CM immortalization and carcinogenesis. Despite triggering the malignant transformation of melanocytes and promoting initial tumor growth, the presence of melanin inside CM cells is described to negatively regulate their invasiveness by increasing cell stiffness and reducing elasticity. Emerging evidence also indicates that melanin secreted from CM cells is required for the immunomodulation of tumor microenvironment. Indeed, melanin transforms dermal fibroblasts in cancer-associated fibroblasts, suppresses the immune system and promotes tumor angiogenesis, thus sustaining CM progression and metastasis. Here, we review the current knowledge on the role of melanin secretion in CM aggressiveness and the molecular machinery involved, as well as the impact in tumor microenvironment and immune responses. A better understanding of this role and the molecular players involved could enable the modulation of melanin secretion to become a therapeutic strategy to impair CM invasion and metastasis and, hence, reduce the burden of CM-associated deaths.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luís C Cabaço
- Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, NMS, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ana Tomás
- Unidade de Investigação em Patobiologia Molecular (UIPM), Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil E.P.E., Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Marta Pojo
- Unidade de Investigação em Patobiologia Molecular (UIPM), Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa Francisco Gentil E.P.E., Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Duarte C Barral
- Chronic Diseases Research Center (CEDOC), NOVA Medical School, NMS, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Slominski RM, Sarna T, Płonka PM, Raman C, Brożyna AA, Slominski AT. Melanoma, Melanin, and Melanogenesis: The Yin and Yang Relationship. Front Oncol 2022; 12:842496. [PMID: 35359389 PMCID: PMC8963986 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.842496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 112] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
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.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radomir M Slominski
- Graduate Biomedical Sciences Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Tadeusz Sarna
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Przemysław M Płonka
- Department of Biophysics and Cancer Biology, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland
| | - Chander Raman
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
| | - Anna A Brożyna
- Department of Human Biology, Institute of Biology, Faculty of Biological and Veterinary Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń, Poland
| | - Andrzej T Slominski
- Department of Dermatology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States.,Pathology Laboratory Service, Veteran Administration Medical Center at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, United States
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Śniegocka M, Podgórska E, Płonka PM, Elas M, Romanowska-Dixon B, Szczygieł M, Żmijewski MA, Cichorek M, Markiewicz A, Brożyna AA, Słominski AT, Urbańska K. Transplantable Melanomas in Hamsters and Gerbils as Models for Human Melanoma. Sensitization in Melanoma Radiotherapy-From Animal Models to Clinical Trials. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:E1048. [PMID: 29614755 PMCID: PMC5979283 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19041048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2017] [Revised: 03/27/2018] [Accepted: 03/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The focus of the present review is to investigate the role of melanin in the radioprotection of melanoma and attempts to sensitize tumors to radiation by inhibiting melanogenesis. Early studies showed radical scavenging, oxygen consumption and adsorption as mechanisms of melanin radioprotection. Experimental models of melanoma in hamsters and in gerbils are described as well as their use in biochemical and radiobiological studies, including a spontaneously metastasizing ocular model. Some results from in vitro studies on the inhibition of melanogenesis are presented as well as radio-chelation therapy in experimental and clinical settings. In contrast to cutaneous melanoma, uveal melanoma is very successfully treated with radiation, both using photon and proton beams. We point out that the presence or lack of melanin pigmentation should be considered, when choosing therapeutic options, and that both the experimental and clinical data suggest that melanin could be a target for radiosensitizing melanoma cells to increase efficacy of radiotherapy against melanoma.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martyna Śniegocka
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 31-007 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Ewa Podgórska
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 31-007 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Przemysław M Płonka
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 31-007 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Martyna Elas
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 31-007 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Bożena Romanowska-Dixon
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ocular Oncology, Medical College of Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 31-007 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Szczygieł
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 31-007 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Michał A Żmijewski
- Department of Histology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Mirosława Cichorek
- Department of Embryology, Medical University of Gdansk, 80-210 Gdańsk, Poland.
| | - Anna Markiewicz
- Department of Ophthalmology and Ocular Oncology, Medical College of Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 31-007 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Anna A Brożyna
- Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, Faculty of Health Sciences, Nicolaus Copernicus University Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz, Oncology Centre-Prof. Franciszek Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital, 85-796 Bydgoszcz, Poland.
- Department of Dermatology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Chemoprevention Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Andrzej T Słominski
- Department of Dermatology, Comprehensive Cancer Center Cancer Chemoprevention Program, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
- VA Medical Center, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA.
| | - Krystyna Urbańska
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 31-007 Kraków, Poland.
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6
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Slominski A, Kim TK, Brożyna AA, Janjetovic Z, Brooks DLP, Schwab LP, Skobowiat C, Jóźwicki W, Seagroves TN. The role of melanogenesis in regulation of melanoma behavior: melanogenesis leads to stimulation of HIF-1α expression and HIF-dependent attendant pathways. Arch Biochem Biophys 2014; 563:79-93. [PMID: 24997364 PMCID: PMC4221528 DOI: 10.1016/j.abb.2014.06.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 169] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2014] [Revised: 05/30/2014] [Accepted: 06/24/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
To study the effect of melanogenesis on HIF-1α expression and attendant pathways, we used stable human and hamster melanoma cell lines in which the amelanotic vs. melanotic phenotypes are dependent upon the concentration of melanogenesis precursors in the culture media. The induction of melanin pigmentation led to significant up-regulation of HIF-1α, but not HIF-2α, protein in melanized cells for both lines. Similar upregulation of nuclear HIF-1α was observed in excisions of advanced melanotic vs. amelanotic melanomas. In cultured cells, melanogenesis also significantly stimulated expression of classical HIF-1-dependent target genes involved in angiogenesis and cellular metabolism, including glucose metabolism and stimulation of activity of key enzymes in the glycolytic pathway. Several other stress related genes containing putative HRE consensus sites were also upregulated by melanogenesis, concurrently with modulation of expression of HIF-1-independent genes encoding for steroidogenic enzymes, cytokines and growth factors. Immunohistochemical studies using a large panel of pigmented lesions revealed that higher levels of HIF-1α and GLUT-1 were detected in advanced melanomas in comparison to melanocytic nevi or thin melanomas localized to the skin. However, the effects on overall or disease free survival in melanoma patients were modest or absent for GLUT-1 or for HIF-1α, respectively. In conclusion, induction of the melanogenic pathway leads to robust upregulation of HIF-1-dependent and independent pathways in cultured melanoma cells, suggesting a key role for melanogenesis in regulation of cellular metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Slominski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA; Department of Medicine, Division of Rheumatology, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | - T-K Kim
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - A A Brożyna
- Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, Oncology Centre - Prof. Franciszek Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital, The Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Z Janjetovic
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - D L P Brooks
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - L P Schwab
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - C Skobowiat
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - W Jóźwicki
- Department of Tumor Pathology and Pathomorphology, Oncology Centre - Prof. Franciszek Łukaszczyk Memorial Hospital, The Ludwik Rydygier Collegium Medicum, Nicolaus Copernicus University, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - T N Seagroves
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA; Center for Cancer Research, University of Tennessee HSC, Memphis, TN, USA
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Slominski A, Zmijewski MA, Pawelek J. L-tyrosine and L-dihydroxyphenylalanine as hormone-like regulators of melanocyte functions. Pigment Cell Melanoma Res 2012; 25:14-27. [PMID: 21834848 PMCID: PMC3242935 DOI: 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2011.00898.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 346] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
There is evidence that L-tyrosine and L-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA), besides serving as substrates and intermediates of melanogenesis, are also bioregulatory agents acting not only as inducers and positive regulators of melanogenesis but also as regulators of other cellular functions. These can be mediated through action on specific receptors or through non-receptor-mediated mechanisms. The substrate induced (L-tyrosine and/or L-DOPA) melanogenic pathway would autoregulate itself as well as regulate the melanocyte functions through the activity of its structural or regulatory proteins and through intermediates of melanogenesis and melanin itself. Dissection of regulatory and autoregulatory elements of this process may elucidate how substrate-induced autoregulatory pathways have evolved from prokaryotic or simple eukaryotic organisms to complex systems in vertebrates. This could substantiate an older theory proposing that receptors for amino acid-derived hormones arose from the receptors for those amino acids, and that nuclear receptors evolved from primitive intracellular receptors binding nutritional factors or metabolic intermediates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Slominski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee, Memphis, TN, USA.
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Plonka PM, Passeron T, Brenner M, Tobin DJ, Shibahara S, Thomas A, Slominski A, Kadekaro AL, Hershkovitz D, Peters E, Nordlund JJ, Abdel-Malek Z, Takeda K, Paus R, Ortonne JP, Hearing VJ, Schallreuter KU. What are melanocytes really doing all day long...? Exp Dermatol 2009; 18:799-819. [PMID: 19659579 PMCID: PMC2792575 DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2009.00912.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 189] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Everyone knows and seems to agree that melanocytes are there to generate melanin - an intriguing, but underestimated multipurpose molecule that is capable of doing far more than providing pigment and UV protection to skin (1). What about the cell that generates melanin, then? Is this dendritic, neural crest-derived cell still serving useful (or even important) functions when no-one looks at the pigmentation of our skin and its appendages and when there is essentially no UV exposure? In other words, what do epidermal and hair follicle melanocytes do in their spare time - at night, under your bedcover? How much of the full portfolio of physiological melanocyte functions in mammalian skin has really been elucidated already? Does the presence or absence of melanocytes matter for normal epidermal and/or hair follicle functions (beyond pigmentation and UV protection), and for skin immune responses? Do melanocytes even deserve as much credit for UV protection as conventional wisdom attributes to them? In which interactions do these promiscuous cells engage with their immediate epithelial environment and who is controlling whom? What lessons might be distilled from looking at lower vertebrate melanophores and at extracutaneous melanocytes in the endeavour to reveal the 'secret identity' of melanocytes? The current Controversies feature explores these far too infrequently posed, biologically and clinically important questions. Complementing a companion viewpoint essay on malignant melanocytes (2), this critical re-examination of melanocyte biology provides a cornucopia of old, but under-appreciated concepts and novel ideas on the slowly emerging complexity of physiological melanocyte functions, and delineates important, thought-provoking questions that remain to be definitively answered by future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Plonka
- Department of Biophysics, Faculty of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Biotechnology, Jagiellonian University, PL-30-387 Kraków, Poland.
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Abstract
More than 15 years ago, we have proposed that melanocytes are sensory and regulatory cells with computing capability, which transform external and/or internal signals/energy into organized regulatory network(s) for the maintenance of the cutaneous homeostasis. This concept is substantiated by accumulating evidence that melanocytes produce classical stress neurotransmitters, neuropeptides and hormones, express corresponding receptors and these processes are modified and/or regulated by ultraviolet radiation, biological factors or stress. Examples of the above are catecholamines, serotonin, N-acetyl-serotonin, melatonin, proopiomelanocortin-derived adrenocorticotropic hormone, beta-endorphin or melanocyte-stimulating hormone peptides, corticotropin releasing factor, related urocortins and corticosteroids including cortisol and corticosterone as well as their precursors. Furthermore, their production is not random, but hierarchical and follows the structures of classical neuroendocrine organizations such as hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, serotoninergic, melatoninergic and catecholaminergic systems. An example of an intrinsic but overlooked neuroendocrine activity is production and secretion of melanogenesis intermediates including l-DOPA or its derivatives that could enter circulation and act on distant sites. Such capabilities have defined melanocytes as neuroendocrine cells that not only coordinate cutaneous but also can affect a global homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Slominski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN, USA.
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10
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Slominski A, Tobin DJ, Shibahara S, Wortsman J. Melanin pigmentation in mammalian skin and its hormonal regulation. Physiol Rev 2004; 84:1155-228. [PMID: 15383650 DOI: 10.1152/physrev.00044.2003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1355] [Impact Index Per Article: 67.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Cutaneous melanin pigment plays a critical role in camouflage, mimicry, social communication, and protection against harmful effects of solar radiation. Melanogenesis is under complex regulatory control by multiple agents interacting via pathways activated by receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms, in hormonal, auto-, para-, or intracrine fashion. Because of the multidirectional nature and heterogeneous character of the melanogenesis modifying agents, its controlling factors are not organized into simple linear sequences, but they interphase instead in a multidimensional network, with extensive functional overlapping with connections arranged both in series and in parallel. The most important positive regulator of melanogenesis is the MC1 receptor with its ligands melanocortins and ACTH, whereas among the negative regulators agouti protein stands out, determining intensity of melanogenesis and also the type of melanin synthesized. Within the context of the skin as a stress organ, melanogenic activity serves as a unique molecular sensor and transducer of noxious signals and as regulator of local homeostasis. In keeping with these multiple roles, melanogenesis is controlled by a highly structured system, active since early embryogenesis and capable of superselective functional regulation that may reach down to the cellular level represented by single melanocytes. Indeed, the significance of melanogenesis extends beyond the mere assignment of a color trait.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrzej Slominski
- Dept. of Pathology, Suite 599, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 930 Madison Avenue, Memphis, TN 38163, USA.
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11
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Slominski A, Ermak G, Wortsman J. Modification of melanogenesis in cultured human melanoma cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim 1999; 35:564-5. [PMID: 10614864 DOI: 10.1007/s11626-999-0093-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Slominski A, Paus R, Plonka P, Handjiski B, Maurer M, Chakraborty A, Mihm MC. Pharmacological disruption of hair follicle pigmentation by cyclophosphamide as a model for studying the melanocyte response to and recovery from cytotoxic drug damage in situ. J Invest Dermatol 1996; 106:1203-11. [PMID: 8752658 DOI: 10.1111/1523-1747.ep12348479] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
Here we show that cyclophosphamide induces disruption of follicular melanogenesis, which is characterized by abnormal transfer of pigment granules to ectopic hair bulb locations, extrafollicular melanin incontinence, disordered formation of melanosomes, and inhibition of melanosome transfer into precortical keratinocytes. This is in contrast to dexamethasone-induced termination of follicle melanogenesis, which activates premature but predominantly normal catagen development. Cyclophosphamide-induced pigmentation disruption was accompanied by significant alterations of biochemical and biophysical markers of melanogenesis, compared to control mice treated either with vehicle or with topical dexamethasone. Electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy shows a decline in the melanin signal and predominant eumelanin production. Tyrosine hydroxylase activity of tyrosinase and dihydroxyphenylalanine oxidation drop rapidly, while DOPAchrome tautomerase activity increases and dihydroxyindole carboxylic acid conversion factor activity remains unchanged in cyclophosphamide-treated mice compared to controls. These observations emphasize the key role of tyrosinase as opposed to postdihydroxyphenylalanine oxidase steps in normal and pathological termination of melanogenesis and shows that tyrosinase is the most sensitive target of the melanogenic apparatus for pharmacological regulation. Follicle pigmentation recovers only during the subsequent hair cycle, i.e., after a new anagen hair bulb has been constructed, which points to the existence of a relatively chemoresistant melanoblast-like cell population residing in the noncycling part of the hair follicle.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Slominski
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Albany Medical College, New York 12208, USA
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