Regulation of Melanogenesis in Skin Epidermal Keratinocytes via Activation of α7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor on the Expression of α-Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormone.

ABSTRACT: UV irradiation stimulates the production of pro-opiomelanocortin (POMC) and its derived peptides, for example, α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH), from keratinocytes that subsequently stimulate melanin production in melanocytes. The idea of "skin synapse" describes the interplay between keratinocytes and melanocytes being modulated by cholinergic signaling, in which acetylcholine (ACh) release is induced by UV irradiation, regulating the process of pigmentation. ObjectiveHere, the role of the cholinergic system in regulating α-MSH production in keratinocytes during UV-induced skin pigmentation was identified. α7 Nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) agonists and antagonists, Ca²⁺ chelator BAPTA-AM, and α7 nAChR shRNA were applied onto HaCaT keratinocytes to evaluate the

SUBMITTER: Guo MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12849533 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature