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Regulation of melanin synthesis by the TGF-β family in B16 melanoma cells

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Abstract

Effects of representative members of the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family, TGF-β1, activin A and BMP-2, on melanin content and expression of pigment-producing enzymes were examined in B16 melanoma cells. Treatment with TGF-β1 or activin A but not with BMP-2 significantly decreased melanin content and expression of Tyrosinase and Tyrp-1, suggesting an inhibitory effect of TGF-β1 and activin A on melanin synthesis. TGF-β1 completely inhibited melanin synthesis induced by α-melanin stimulating hormone (α-MSH), whereas activin A only slightly did. As compared with parental B16 cells, the inhibitory effects of TGF-β1 and activin A on melanin content were relative smaller in B16 F10 cells, a subline of B16 cells that contain more pigment. The present study indicates that in addition to TGF-β, activin negatively regulates melanogenesis in the absence of α-MSH, but that the activity in the presence of α-MSH was slightly different between TGF-β and activin.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Kakenhi (17580262 and 18580299) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science, and by grants for Graduate Schools from The Foundation for Japanese Private School Promotion, and by The Science Research Promotion Fund from The Promotion and Mutual Aid Corporation for Private Schools of Japan.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Azabu University School of Veterinary Medicine, Sagamihara, 229-8501, Japan

    Masaru Murakami & Fumihide Matsuzaki

  2. Laboratory of Nutrition, Azabu University School of Veterinary Medicine, Sagamihara, 229-8501, Japan

    Masayuki Funaba

  3. Laboratory of Nutritional Science, Kyoto University Graduate School of Agriculture, Kitashirakawa Oiwakecho, Kyoto, 606-8502, Japan

    Masayuki Funaba

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  1. Masaru Murakami
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  2. Fumihide Matsuzaki
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  3. Masayuki Funaba
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Correspondence to Masayuki Funaba.

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Murakami, M., Matsuzaki, F. & Funaba, M. Regulation of melanin synthesis by the TGF-β family in B16 melanoma cells. Mol Biol Rep 36, 1247–1250 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-008-9304-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11033-008-9304-6

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