Protoporphyrin IX Stimulates Melanogenesis, Melanocyte Dendricity, and Melanosome Transport Through the cGMP/PKG Pathway.

ABSTRACT: Protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) is a heterocyclic organic compound that is the last intermediate in the heme biosynthetic pathway. PPIX, due to its photodynamic effects, is utilized in the treatment of skin diseases. Furthermore, PPIX has been utilized as a melanogenesis-stimulating agent in various studies. However, the exact function and mechanism underlying PPIX action in melanocytes remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we sought to further investigate how PPIX affects melanocyte melanogenesis, and whether PPIX is involved in melanin transport. Our findings demonstrated that PPIX increased melanocyte dendricity and melanosome transport, in addition to increasing melanogenesis. PPIX functions primarily by activating the guanylate cyclase (GC) and cyclic guanosine 3', 5'-monophosphate/

SUBMITTER: Lv J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7516199 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature