Unrevealing the role of P-protein on melanosome biology and structure, using siRNA-mediated down regulation of OCA2

• Published in: Molecular and cellular biochemistry Vol. 403; no. 1-2; pp. 61 - 71
• Main Authors: Park, Sangjoo, Morya, V. K., Nguyen, Dong Hoang, Singh, Birendra K., Lee, Hyang-Bok, Kim, Eun-Ki
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Boston Springer US 01.05.2015; Springer; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Animals; Biochemistry; Biomedical and Life Sciences; Cardiology; Carrier Proteins - metabolism; Cellular biology; Down-Regulation - drug effects; HeLa Cells; Humans; Infection; Ionizing radiation; Life Sciences; Medical Biochemistry; Melanins - biosynthesis; Melanoma; Melanosomes - drug effects; Melanosomes - metabolism; Melanosomes - ultrastructure; Membrane Proteins - metabolism; Mice; Monophenol Monooxygenase - metabolism; Mutation; Oncology; Pigments; Proteins; Ribonucleic acid; RNA; RNA, Small Interfering - metabolism; Transfection; Tyrosine - pharmacology; siRNA transfection; Transmission electron microscopy; Melanosome; Melanin; Pink-eyed dilution (P) protein
• ISSN: 0300-8177; 1573-4919
• DOI: 10.1007/s11010-015-2337-y

The pink-eyed dilution protein (P-protein) plays a critical role in melanin synthesis in melanocytes and retinal pigment epithelium cells. Mutation in this protein may cause complete or partial albinism. Role of the P-protein ranges in melanin synthesis to maturation and trafficking of the melanosomes. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of P-protein inhibition on melanosome biology by comparing the shape, size, count, and types of melanosomes in melan-a melanocytes. The cells were extensively examined by the transmission electron microscopy. The P-protein inhibition was carried by P-protein-siRNA transfection to melan-a melanocytes, B16F10 mouse melanoma, and melan-p1 cells. Measurement of melanin contents, cellular tyrosinase, and different tyrosinase related proteins were also determined to investigate the effect of P-protein siRNA transfection on melanocytes. Results suggested that the inhibition of P-protein can significantly change the melanosomal morphology, types and their respective numbers, and provided a novel strategy for the control of melanin synthesis.