Dataset Information

Opsin expression in human epidermal skin.

ABSTRACT: Human skin is constantly exposed to solar light containing visible and ultraviolet radiation (UVR), a powerful skin carcinogen. UVR elicits cellular responses in epidermal cells via several mechanisms: direct absorption of short-wavelength UVR photons by DNA, oxidative damage caused by long-wavelength UVR, and, as we recently demonstrated, via a retinal-dependent G protein-coupled signaling pathway. Because the human epidermis is exposed to a wide range of light wavelengths, we investigated whether opsins, light-activated receptors that mediate photoreception in the eye, are expressed in epidermal skin to potentially serve as photosensors. Here we show that four opsins—OPN1-SW, OPN2, OPN3 and OPN5—are expressed in the two major human epidermal cell types, melanocytes and keratinocytes, and the mRNA expression profile of these opsins does not change in response to physiological UVR doses. We detected two OPN3 splice variants present in similar amounts in both cell types and three OPN5 splice isoforms, two of which encode truncated proteins. Notably, OPN2 and OPN3 mRNA were significantly more abundant than other opsins and encoded full-length proteins. Our results demonstrate that opsins are expressed in epidermal skin cells and suggest that they might initiate light-induced signaling pathways, possibly contributing to UVR phototransduction.

SUBMITTER: Haltaufderhyde K

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4303996 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Jan-Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Opsin expression in human epidermal skin.

Haltaufderhyde Kirk K Ozdeslik Rana N RN Wicks Nadine L NL Najera Julia A JA Oancea Elena E

Photochemistry and photobiology 20141113 1

Human skin is constantly exposed to solar light containing visible and ultraviolet radiation (UVR), a powerful skin carcinogen. UVR elicits cellular responses in epidermal cells via several mechanisms: direct absorption of short-wavelength UVR photons by DNA, oxidative damage caused by long-wavelength UVR, and, as we recently demonstrated, via a retinal-dependent G protein-coupled signaling pathway. Because the human epidermis is exposed to a wide range of light wavelengths, we investigated whet ...[more]

PMID: 25267311

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Project description:BackgroundHuman skin, which is constantly exposed to solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR), has a unique ability to respond by increasing its pigmentation in a protective process driven by melanogenesis in human epidermal melanocytes (HEMs). However, the molecular mechanisms used by HEMs to detect and respond to UVR remain unclear.ObjectivesTo investigate the function and potential mechanism of opsin 5 (OPN5), a photoreceptor responsive to UVR wavelengths, in melanogenesis in HEMs.MethodsMelanin content in HEMs was determined using the NaOH method, and activity of tyrosinase (TYR) (a key enzyme in melanin synthesis) was determined by the l-DOPA method. OPN5 expression in UVR-treated vs. untreated HEMs and explant tissues was detected by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Short interfering RNA-mediated OPN5 knockdown and a lentivirus OPN5 overexpression model were used to examine their respective effects on TYR, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TRP1), TRP2 and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) expression, under UVR. Changes in expression of TYR, TRP1 and TRP2 caused by changes in OPN5 expression level were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot. Furthermore, changes in signalling pathway proteins were assayed.ResultsWe found that OPN5 is the key sensor in HEMs responsible for UVR-induced melanogenesis. OPN5-induced melanogenesis required Ca2+ -dependent G protein-coupled receptor- and protein kinase C signal transduction, thus contributing to the UVR-induced MITF response to mediate downstream cellular effects, and providing evidence of OPN5 function in mammalian phototransduction. Remarkably, OPN5 activation was necessary for UVR-induced increase in cellular melanin and has an inherent function in melanocyte melanogenesis.ConclusionsOur results provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of UVR sensing and phototransduction in melanocytes, and may reveal molecular targets for preventing pigmentation or pigment diseases.

Dataset Information

Opsin expression in human epidermal skin.

Publications

Opsin expression in human epidermal skin.

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