Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry

, Volume 375, Issue 1–2, pp 81–87 | Cite as

Ceramide PC102 inhibits melanin synthesis via proteasomal degradation of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor and tyrosinase

  • Hyo-Soon Jeong
  • Hye-Ryung Choi
  • Hye-Young Yun
  • Kwang Jin Baek
  • Nyoun Soo Kwon
  • Kyoung-Chan Park
  • Dong-Seok Kim
Article
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Accepted:

Abstract

A few types of ceramide are reported to decrease melanin synthesis. In the present study, we examined the effects of an artificial ceramide analog, PC102, on melanogenesis using a spontaneously immortalized melanocyte cell line (Mel-Ab). PC102 is currently used as a moisturizing additive in a variety of cosmetics. Our data showed that PC102 inhibited melanin production and tyrosinase activity in a dose-dependent manner, but did not directly affect tyrosinase activity. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF), tyrosinase, and β-catenin protein levels decreased after 48 h of PC102 treatment. In contrast, PC102 did not decrease MITF, tyrosinase, and β-catenin mRNA levels. Therefore, we investigated whether the decrease in MITF and tyrosinase by PC102 is due to proteasomal degradation. MG132, a proteasomal inhibitor, completely abolished tyrosinase downregulation due to PC102 and partially reduced the downregulation of MITF and β-catenin due to PC102. Moreover, MG132 abrogated the inhibition of melanin synthesis by PC102. Taken together, our data suggest that PC102 may inhibit melanin synthesis through MITF and tyrosinase degradation.

Keywords

Melanin MITF Tyrosinase Ceramide PC102 

Abbreviations

CT

Cholera toxin

ERK

Extracellular signal-regulated kinase

FBS

Fetal bovine serum

MAPKs

Mitogen-activated protein kinases

GSK3β

Glycogen synthase kinase 3β

MITF

Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor

PC102

1,3-bis(N-2-(hydroxyethyl) lauroylamino)-2-hydroxy propane

TPA

12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate

TRP

Tyrosinase-related protein

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Notes

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by a grant (A100179) from the Korea Healthcare Technology R&D Project, Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea.

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Copyright information

© Springer Science+Business Media New York 2012

Authors and Affiliations

  • Hyo-Soon Jeong
    • 1
  • Hye-Ryung Choi
    • 2
    • 3
  • Hye-Young Yun
    • 1
  • Kwang Jin Baek
    • 1
  • Nyoun Soo Kwon
    • 1
  • Kyoung-Chan Park
    • 2
    • 3
  • Dong-Seok Kim
    • 1
  1. 1.Department of BiochemistryChung-Ang University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
  2. 2.Department of DermatologySeoul National University College of MedicineSeoulRepublic of Korea
  3. 3.Department of DermatologySeoul National University Bundang HospitalSeongnam-siRepublic of Korea

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