Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 8, 2025

Pharmacologic Induction of Epidermal Melanin and Protection Against Sunburn in a Humanized Mouse Model
Published on: September 7, 2013
Opsin 3 mediates UVA-induced keratinocyte supranuclear melanin cap formation
Yinghua Lan1, Wen Zeng1, Yu Wang1
1Department of Dermatology, Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University, 550001, Guiyang, Guizhou, P.R. China.
Abstract:
Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation-induced DNA damage is a major risk factor for skin cancer development. UV-induced redistribution of melanin near keratinocyte nuclei leads to the formation of a supranuclear cap, which acts as a natural sunscreen and protects DNA by absorbing and scattering UV radiation. However, the mechanism underlying the intracellular movement of melanin in nuclear capping is poorly understood. In this study, we found that OPN3 is an important photoreceptor in human epidermal keratinocytes and is critical for UVA-mediated supranuclear cap formation. OPN3 mediates supranuclear cap formation via the calcium-dependent G protein-coupled receptor signaling pathway and ultimately upregulates Dync1i1 and DCTN1 expression in human epidermal keratinocytes via activating calcium/CaMKII, CREB, and Akt signal transduction. Together, these results clarify the role of OPN3 in regulating melanin cap formation in human epidermal keratinocytes, greatly expanding our understanding of the phototransduction mechanisms involved in physiological function in skin keratinocytes.
More Related Videos
08:18Author Spotlight: Unraveling Vitamin A Transport Mechanisms — Linking Liver Receptors to Vision Health Through RBPR2 and RBP4 Interactions
Published on: October 4, 2024
10:39Author Spotlight: Improved Lipofuscin Models and Quantification of Outer Segment Phagocytosis Capacity in Highly Polarized Human Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cultures
Published on: April 14, 2023
Related Concept Videos
Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
Pigmentation
Melanin occurs in two primary forms: eumelanin that provides black and brown pigment and pheomelanin that provides red color. Dark-skinned individuals produce more melanin than those with pale...
Nucleotide Excision Repair
Cells are regularly exposed to mutagens—factors in the environment that can damage DNA and generate mutations. UV radiation is one of the most common mutagens and is estimated to introduce a significant number of changes in DNA. These include bends or kinks in the structure, which can block DNA replication or transcription. If these errors are not fixed, the damage can cause mutations, which in turn can result in cancer or disease depending on which sequences are...
Channel Rhodopsins
Rhodopsins belong to the family of cell surface proteins called G-protein coupled receptors,...
The Retina
Anatomy of the Eyeball