Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Experiment Videos

Serotoninergic system in hamster skin.

Andrzej Slominski1, Alexander Pisarchik, Igor Semak

  • 1Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, U.S.A. aslominski@utem.edu

The Journal of Investigative Dermatology
|October 31, 2002
PubMed
Summary

Researchers discovered a serotonin pathway in rodent skin, involving tryptophan hydroxylase and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase. This pathway may impact skin physiology and pathology.

Related Concept Videos

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Pmel17 Deficiency Affects Melanogenesis and Promotes Tumor Vascularization.

International journal of molecular sciences·2026
Same author

Grape constituents for protection against photodamage to skin.

Photochemistry and photobiology·2025
Same author

Medical student use of practice questions in their studies: a qualitative study.

BMC medical education·2024
Same author

Dissection of an impact of VDR and RXRA on the genomic activity of 1,25(OH)<sub>2</sub>D<sub>3</sub> in A431 squamous cell carcinoma.

Molecular and cellular endocrinology·2023
Same author

The Challenge of Melanoma Chemoprevention.

Cancer prevention research (Philadelphia, Pa.)·2022
Same author

Bovine lactoferrin and Lentinus edodes mycelia polysaccharide complex: The formation and the activity to protect islet β cells.

International journal of biological macromolecules·2021

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Molecular Biology
  • Dermatology

Background:

  • Tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH) and arylalkylamine N-acetyltransferase (AANAT) are key enzymes in serotonin synthesis.
  • Serotonin plays crucial roles in various physiological processes, including vasodilation, immunomodulation, and growth factor activity.
  • The presence and function of these enzymes in skin and melanoma tissues are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression and activity of TPH and AANAT in hamster skin and melanoma.
  • To elucidate the role of these enzymes in serotonin metabolism within the skin.
  • To explore the potential implications of this cutaneous serotonin pathway in skin physiology and pathology.

Main Methods:

  • Cloning of hamster pituitary tryptophan hydroxylase cDNA.

Related Experiment Videos

  • Demonstration of gene expression using mRNA analysis in various tissues (skin, melanoma, spleen, heart, eye).
  • Enzymatic assays for serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity and in vitro transformation studies using liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry.

    • Main Results:

    • TPH cDNA was cloned and expressed in hamster skin, melanomas, spleen, heart, and eye.
    • AANAT mRNA was detected in skin, melanomas, spleen, pituitary, and eye, but not in the heart.
    • Cutaneous AANAT expression correlated with enzymatic activity for serotonin and tryptamine acetylation, with regional variations observed.
    • Serotonin N-acetyltransferase activity was inhibited by a Cole bisubstrate, supporting AANAT's role in skin serotonin metabolism.
    • N-acetylserotonin was generated and stored in cultured melanoma cells.

    Conclusions:

    • A functional pathway for serotonin metabolism, including N-acetylation, exists in rodent skin and melanomas.
    • The identified cutaneous serotonin pathway, involving TPH and AANAT, may play a significant role in skin physiology and disease.
    • Further research is warranted to explore the specific functions of this pathway in conditions like melanoma.