Melanin regulation peptides: Comparison
Please note this is a comparison between Version 12 by Yong Chool Boo and Version 11 by Yong Chool Boo.

In this review, we present the latest studies regarding peptides and related compounds that may be useful in artificially increasing or reducing skin melanin levels. Certain analogs of α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) and peptides with the sequences derived from the hormone were shown to promote or suppress melanin synthesis in cells and in vivo models. Various amino acids, peptides, their analogs, and their hybrid compounds with other chemical moieties were shown to inhibit tyrosinase (TYR) catalytic activity or downregulate TYR gene expression. Certain peptides were shown to inhibit melanosome biogenesis or induce autophagy, leading to decreased pigmentation. In vivo and clinical evidence are available for some compounds, including [Nle4-D-Phe7]-α-MSH, glutathione disulfide, and glycinamide hydrochloride.

  • pigmentation
  • melanin
  • peptide
  • amino acid
  • tyrosinase
  • inhibitor
  • melanocortin 1 receptor
  • agonist
  • antagonist
  • melanogenesis

1. Introduction

Melanin plays an important role in the appearance of skin color, protection against ultraviolet (UV) radiation, and maintenance of homeostasis in many organs [1][2]. Both over- and underproduction of melanin are a major research theme in cosmetology and dermatology, not only from the aesthetic viewpoint pursuing a harmonious skin tone, but also from a medical viewpoint preventing and treating various skin diseases [3][4][5][6][7].

As numerous amino acids and peptides directly and indirectly participate in the melanin synthesis process, it is reasonably assumed that the process could be artificially regulated by certain structurally related compounds. This review will introduce recent advances in the artificial regulation of skin pigmentation using amino acids, peptides, and their analogs.

2. Targets for the control of skin pigmentation

The most-studied molecular targets are the receptors on the surface of melanocytes which transmit intracellular signals, and the enzymes and proteins within melanocytes involved in melanin synthesis, and melanosome biogenesis and autophagy in melanocytes (Figure 1).

Figure 1. The major targets of amino acids, peptides, and their analogs for the control of skin pigmentation. Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) plays a primary role in inducing gene expression of melanogenic enzymes, such as tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase-related protein 1 (TYRP1), and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) in response to various internal and external stimuli. In addition to the α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH)/ melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) /adenyl cyclase (AC)/ cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA)/cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (CREB) pathway, the stem cell factor (SCF)/receptor tyrosine kinase protein, c-Kit/mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway, and WNT/frizzled/glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3β/β-catenin pathway can activate MITF. Other signaling pathways, such as phospholipase C (PLC)/diacylglycerol (DAG)/protein kinase C (PKC) β cascade, and nitric oxide (NO)/cGMP/protein kinase G (PKG) cascade are also involved in the activation of MITF. Melanosome biogenesis occurs through morphologically distinct stages 1, −2, −3, and −4. Melanogenic enzymes matured through post-translational modifications in endoplasmic reticulum and metal-loading in Golgi apparatus are sorted and transported to stage 2 melanosomes. Melanin is synthesized thereafter and the mature stage 4 melanosomes with accumulated melanin are transferred through dendrites to keratinocytes.

3. Artificial Upregulation of Melanin Synthesis

In this chapter, we discuss promotion of melanin synthesis by α-MSH analogs and oligopeptides derived from the hormone sequence, L-Tyr and L-DOPA, and other peptide hormones. Selected studies are listed in Table 1.

Table 1. Amino acids, peptides, and their analogs that stimulate melanin synthesis.

Compounds

Key Points

Literature

[Nle4-D-Phe7]-α-MSH

This α-MSH analog was more resistant to enzymatic degradation and more potent in biological activity compared with α-MSH or [Nle4]-α-MSH.

[8]

Ac-Phe-Arg-Trp-Gly-NH2

This peptide enhanced the α-MSH-induced increase in TYR activity in S-91 murine melanoma cells.

[9]

Ac-His-D-Phe-Arg-Trp-NH2

n-Pentadecanoyl-His-

D-Phe-Arg-Trp-NH2

4-Phenylbutyryl-His-

D

-Phe-Arg-Trp-NH2

These tetrapeptides increased melanin synthesis and viability of human melanocytes under UV-irradiated conditions.

[10]

Bz-Gly-His-D-Phe-D-Arg-D-Trp-N(CH2CH2CH3)2

This pentapeptide induced protein expression of MITF, TYR, and TYRP1, and enhanced the activation of NRF2 after UVA-irradiation.

[11]

L-Tyr

L

-DOPA

L-Tyr and L-DOPA enhanced expression of TYR and stimulated melanin synthesis.

[12]

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (HSDAVFXDNYXRLRKQMAVKKYLNSXLN)

Vasoactive intestinal peptide increased melanin production by increasing TYR activity and gene expression in a PKA, CREB, and MITF–dependent mechanism.

[13]

Angiotensin II

(DRVYIHPF)

Angiotensin II upregulated TYR activity and melanin content in melanocytes through an AT1-dependent mechanism.

[14]

4. Artificial Downregulation of Melanin Synthesis

In this chapter, we discuss basic amino acids and peptides (Section 4.1), peptides isolated from plants or derived from natural protein sequences (Section 4.2), and hybrid peptides with other chemical moieties (Section 4.3) that inhibit TYR catalytic activity in vitro. We additionally discuss certain peptides that downregulate TYR gene expression or its protein level in melanocytes (Section 4.4). Finally, we discuss the peptides that inhibit melanosome biogenesis or induce autophagy in melanocytes (Section 4.5). IC50 is defined as the 50% inhibitory concentration.

4.1. TYR Inhibitory Amino Acids, Peptides, and Their Analogs

Various amino acids and peptides are known to inhibit TYR activity and/or cellular melanin synthesis, and some of them show depigmenting effects in human skin (Table 2).

Table 2. Amino acids, peptides, and their analogs that inhibit TYR activity and melanin synthesis.

Compounds

Key Points

Literature

L-Cys

L-Cys extended an initial delay in DOPAchrome formation by avocado and mushroom TYRs.

[15]

Ergothioneine

Ergothioneine inhibited mushroom TYR activity in a competitive manner, whereas L-His exhibited no inhibitory effect.

[16]

GD; GK; GH;

GG; GF; GY

Glycyl-dipeptides such as GD, GK, and GH inhibited TYR activity, and reduced the browning of apples and potatoes.

[17]

CA; YC; PD; DY;

CE; CS; CY; CW

Estimated TYR inhibitory activity of 20 × 20 dipeptides. N-terminal Cys-containing dipeptides were highly active.

[18]

CRY

RCY

These antimelanogenic peptides were identified in a pharmacophore modeling method.

[19]

L-Cys

L

-Cystine

H-Glu(Cys-Gly-OH)-OH

H-Glo(Cys-Gly-OH)-OH

Ergothioneine

Taurine

L-Cys, L-cystine, H-Glo(Cys-Gly-OH)-OH, and ergothioneine inhibited TYR activity more strongly than glutathione (H-Glu(Cys-Gly-OH)-OH) and taurine.

[20]

YRSRKYSSWY

RADSRADC

KFEKKFEK

SFLLRN

These oligopeptides were identified from an internal library and they inhibited TYR activity and reduced the melanin content of cells.

[21]

RRWWRRYY

RRRYWYYR

RRYWYWRR

These peptides were identified from a docking study against mushroom TYR and they were also inhibitory against the human TYR.

[22]

D-Tyr

D-Tyr inhibited TYR activity by a competitive mechanism and reduced melanin content in cells and a three-dimensional human skin model.

[23]

D-Tyr-D-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu

D

-Ala-Gly-Phe-Leu-D-Tyr

Gly-His-Lys-

D

-Tyr

The addition of D-Tyr to functional peptides endowed antimelanogenic activity without altering other bioactivities.

[24]

Glutathione

Oral administration of glutathione induced skin lightening of human volunteers.

[25]

Glutathione disulfide

Topical application of glutathione disulfide lowered melanin index in human skin.

[26]

4.2. TYR Inhibitory Peptides Derived from Natural Protein Sequences

Various peptides derived from natural protein sequences inhibit TYR activity and display antimelanogenic effects in cells (Table 3).

Table 3. TYR inhibitory peptides derived from natural protein sequences.

Compounds

Key Points

Literature

Cyclo[GGYLPPLS]

Cyclo[GTLPSPFL]

Cyclo[PFSFGPLA]

These cyclic peptides from Pseudostellaria heterophylla inhibited TYR activity.

[27][28]

MMSFVSLL

VSLLLVGI

LILVLLAI

These antimelanogenic peptides were selected from octameric peptides with sequences of industrial proteins.

[29]

LQPSHY

HGGEGGRPY

HPTSEVY

LQPSHY derived from rice bran protein hydrolysates inhibited TYR activity and reduced melanin content in B16 cells.

[30]

SSEYYGGEGSSSEQGYYGEG

Of the peptides from the rice bran albumin hydrolysates, this peptide showed the highest TYR inhibition activity.

[31]

ECGYF

The peptide with a sequence of the protein midasin inhibited TYR activity and reduced melanin content in A375 melanoma cells.

[32]

NGVQPKY

NGVQPKC

CNGVQPK

These antimicrobial peptides inhibited TYR activity and reduced melanin content in B16F1 melanoma cells.

[33]

4.3. TYR Inhibitory Peptides Conjugated with Other Chemical Moieties

Some amino acids and peptides have been hybridized with other antimelanogenic compounds, such as kojic acid, protocatechuic acid, α-resocylic acid, gentisic acid, gallic acid, caffeic acid, para-coumaric acid, and ascorbic acid to improve their activity, stability, or bioavailability (Table 4).

Table 4. TYR inhibitory peptides conjugated with other chemical moieties.

Compounds

Key Points

Literature

Kojic acid-FWY

Kojic acid-FHY

Kojic acid-FRY

Kojic acid-FWY-NH

2

Kojic acid-FHY-NH

2

Kojic acid-FRY-NH

2

These kojic acid-tripeptide amides showed enhanced stability and potent inhibition against TYR activity.

[34]

Kojic acid-F-NH2

Kojic acid-C-NH

2

Of the kojic acid-amino acid amides, kojic acid-F-NH2 and kojic acid-C-NH2 showed the highest and lowest TYR inhibition, respectively.

[35]

Kojic acid-PS

Kojic acid-CDPGYIGSR

These kojic acid-peptides inhibited TYR activity and reduced melanin synthesis in B16F10 cells.

[36]

Protocatechuic acid-F-NH2

Protocatechuic acid-W-NH

2

Protocatechuic acid-Y-NH

2

These hybrid compounds inhibited TYR activity and protocatechuic acid-F-NH2 reduced melanin synthesis in B16 cells most effectively.

[37]

Caffeic acid-MHIR

β-Lactoglobulin fragment peptides were conjugated with caffeic acid.

[38]

para-Coumaric acid-GGG-ARP

The compound inhibited TYR activity and decreased melanin content in cells.

[39]

Ascorbic acid-KTTKS

Ascorbic acid-KTTKS hybrid inhibited TYR activity and decreased melanin content in cells.

[40]

4.4. Peptides That Inhibit TYR Gene Expression

Some peptides are known to downregulate TYR expression by acting as a MC1R antagonist or by other mechanisms (Table 5).

Table 5. Peptides that reduce TYR gene expression or its protein level in melanocytes.

Compounds

Key Points

Literature

H-His-D-Arg-Ala-Trp-D-Phe-Lys-NH2

This hybrid peptide analog derived from growth hormone-releasing peptide and α-MSH sequences demonstrated the antagonistic efficacy, attenuating the response to α-MSH or [Nle4,D-Phe7]-α-MSH in the lizards.

[9][41]

The tetrapeptide reduced melanin synthesis in cells by a receptor-mediated, ERK-dependent suppression of MITF and TYR expression.

[42]

SFKLRY-NH2

The peptide decreased TYR protein level in cells and showed antimelanogenic effects in B16 cells.

[43]

INHHLG-NH2

ISHHLG-NH

2

INHNLG-NH

2

ISHNLG-NH

2

FNHHLG-NH

2

FNHNLG-NH

2

FSHNLG-NH

2

These antimelanogenic hexapeptides were identified using PS-SCL. FNHHLG-NH2 reduced TYR expression and melanin synthesis in cells stimulated by α-MSH.

[44]

RFWG-NH2

RLWG-NH

2

FRWG-NH

2

FWG-NH

2

LWG-NH

2

RWG-NH

2

WG-NH

2

G-NH

2

These low molecular antimelanogenic peptides with sequences overlapping with α-MSH inhibited melanin synthesis in cells stimulated by α-MSH. G-NH2 (glycinamide) attenuated phosphorylation of CREB and expression of MITF and TYR. Neither Ac-G-NH2 nor G showed antimelanogenic activity.

[45]

Gly-NH2•HCl

Glycinamide hydrochloride exhibited depigmenting effects without noted adverse effects in the human skin.

[46]

4.5. Peptides That Inhibit Melanosome Biogenesis or Induce Autophagy in Melanocytes

A few peptides are known to display antimelanogenic effects in melanocytes through modulation of melanosome biogenesis and autophagy (Table 6).

Table 6. Peptides and peptidic compounds that inhibit melanosome biogenesis or induce autophagy in melanocytes.

Compounds

Key Points

Literature

EPLNNLQVAVK

QTVEISLPLST

QVAVK

QVA

Peptides derived from β1-adaptin inhibited the binding of AP-1 subunit to KIF13A, thereby inhibiting the maturation of melanosomes and melanin synthesis in cells.

[47]

Pentasodium tetracarboxymethyl palmitoyl 21 dipeptide-12 induced autophagy in melanocytes and decreased pigmentation.

[48]

5. MC1R-targeting peptides

The sequences of endogenous melanocortin hormones derived from the POMC gene product and numerous synthetic oligopeptides that showed melanogenic or antimelanogenic activity are shown in Figure 2.

 

Figure 2. Sequences of proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptide hormones and synthetic peptides with melanogenic or antimelanogenic effects. (a) The entire amino acid sequence of the human POMC protein is shown. Sequences for different POMC-derived hormones are indicated with different colors: adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) in blue; α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (MSH) in underlined blue; β-MSH in green; γ3-MSH in red; and γ1-MSH in underlined red. (b) Amino acid sequences of ACTH, α-MSH, β-MSH, γ3-MSH, and γ1-MSH including posttranslational modifications are shown. A conserved sequence, His-Phe-Arg-Trp, is highlighted. (c) Tetrapeptides that stimulate melanin synthesis [10]. (d) A pentapeptide that stimulates melanin synthesis [11]. (e) Tetra-, tri-, di-, and mono-peptides that inhibit melanin synthesis [45]. (f) Molecules with no or unclear effects on melanin synthesis [9][45].

6. Discussion

A variety of peptides and amino acid analogs were described to modulate melanin synthesis in cells, although their therapeutic utility remains to be further verified. In vivo and clinical results have been provided for MC1R targeting molecules, such as [Nle4-D-Phe7]-α-MSH [49][50], and glycinamide hydrochloride [46], and an inhibitor of melanin synthetic reaction, such as oxidized glutathione [26]. These studies suggest that certain amino acids, peptides, and their analogs may be a promising drug candidate for up- and downregulating skin pigmentation. Melanin increasing molecules can be used to alleviate photosensitive skin, to prevent photocarcinogenesis, and to treat vitiligo vulgaris [49][50][51]. Conversely, melanin decreasing molecules can be used to treat various types of hyperpigmentation for medical and aesthetic purposes [26][46][52][53].