Biology of melanogenesis and the search for hypopigmenting agents

Abstract Increased production and accumulation of melanin are characteristics of a large number of skin diseases, including melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and lentigo. A number of clinical agents can reduce normal or abnormal pigmentation, but none of these have achieved satisfactory e...

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Published inZhonghua pi fu ke yi xue za zhi Vol. 28; no. 2; pp. 53 - 58
Main Authors Park, Kyoung-Chan, Huh, Sun Young, Choi, Hye Ryung, Kim, Dong-Seok
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Elsevier B.V 01.06.2010
Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
Subjects
Dermatology
Mechanism
Melanin
Tyrosinase
Mechanism
Melanin
Tyrosinase
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Summary:Abstract Increased production and accumulation of melanin are characteristics of a large number of skin diseases, including melasma, post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation and lentigo. A number of clinical agents can reduce normal or abnormal pigmentation, but none of these have achieved satisfactory effects. This review discusses the mechanisms behind the different approaches. Tyrosinase is a pivotal enzyme in melanin synthesis. The majority of whitening or lightening agents act by specifically reducing the activity of tyrosinase via several mechanisms: (1) prior to melanin synthesis (interfering with its transcription and/or glycosylation); (2) during melanin synthesis (tyrosinase inhibition, peroxidase inhibition and reduction of byproducts); and (3) after melanin synthesis (tyrosinase degradation, inhibition of melanosome transfer, acceleration of skin turnover). Additional melanogenesis-associated mechanisms are also discussed.
ISSN:1027-8117
DOI:10.1016/S1027-8117(10)60011-0