B16 흑색종세포에서 아피제닌에 의한 멜라닌 합성 촉진효과에 미치는 칼륨-염소이온수송체의 역할

Role of K+-Cl--cotransporter in the Apigenin-induced Stimulation of Melanogenesis in B16 Melanoma Cells

Apigenin, a natural flavonoid found in a variety of vegetables and fruits, has been shown to possess many biological functions. In this study we found that apigenin stimulated melanin synthesis in a dose-dependent manner in B16 murine melanoma cells. Since in our previous study K+-Cl--cotransport (KCC) has been shown to mediate the mechanism of action of apigenin in neuronal cells, we further investigated the role of KCC in the melanogenesis-stimulating effect of apigenin in B16 cells. At nontoxic concentrations apigenin induced Cl--dependent K+ efflux, a hallmark of KCC activity, which was markedly prevented by a specific KCC inhibitor R-(+)-[(2-n-butyl-6,7-dichloro-2-cyclopentyl-2,3-dihydro-1-oxo-1H-inden-5-yl)oxy]acetic acid (DIOA). These results indicate that KCC is functionally present, and activated by apigenin in the B16 cells. In addition, the apigenin-induced stimulation of melanogenesis was also significantly inhibited by DIOA. NEthylmaleimide (NEM), a known KCC activator, induced Cl- efflux and stimulated melanogenesis in a concentration-dependent fashion. Both effects of NEM were significantly inhibited by DIOA. Taken together, these results suggest that apigenin can modulate melanogenesis through the activation of a membrane ion transporter, KCC in B16 cells. These results further suggest that apigenin may be a good candidate in the therapeutic strategy for hypopigmentation disorders, such as vitiligo.