PUBLICATION

NNT mediates redox-dependent pigmentation via a UVB- and MITF-independent mechanism

Authors
Allouche, J., Rachmin, I., Adhikari, K., Pardo, L.M., Lee, J.H., McConnell, A.M., Kato, S., Fan, S., Kawakami, A., Suita, Y., Wakamatsu, K., Igras, V., Zhang, J., Navarro, P.P., Lugo, C.M., Noonan, H.R., Christie, K.A., Itin, K., Mujahid, N., Lo, J.A., Won, C.H., Evans, C.L., Weng, Q.Y., Wang, H., Osseiran, S., Lovas, A., Németh, I., Cozzio, A., Navarini, A.A., Hsiao, J.J., Nguyen, N., Kemény, L.V., Iliopoulos, O., Berking, C., Ruzicka, T., Gonzalez-José, R., Bortolini, M.C., Canizales-Quinteros, S., Acuna-Alonso, V., Gallo, C., Poletti, G., Bedoya, G., Rothhammer, F., Ito, S., Schiaffino, M.V., Chao, L.H., Kleinstiver, B.P., Tishkoff, S., Zon, L.I., Nijsten, T., Ruiz-Linares, A., Fisher, D.E., Roider, E.
ID
ZDB-PUB-210708-8
Date
2021
Source
Cell   184(16): 4268-4283.e20 (Journal)
Registered Authors
Keywords
MITF, UVB, melanosome, nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase, pigmentation, redox regulation
MeSH Terms
  • Cyclic AMP/metabolism
  • Cohort Studies
  • DNA Damage
  • Melanocytes/drug effects
  • Melanocytes/metabolism
  • Mitochondria/drug effects
  • Mitochondria/metabolism
  • RNA, Messenger/genetics
  • RNA, Messenger/metabolism
  • Zebrafish
  • NADP Transhydrogenases/antagonists & inhibitors
  • NADP Transhydrogenases/metabolism*
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase/genetics
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase/metabolism
  • Humans
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Cell Line
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics
  • Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/metabolism
  • Mice
  • Proteolysis/drug effects
  • Proteolysis/radiation effects
  • Ultraviolet Rays*
  • Animals
  • Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor/metabolism*
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Melanosomes/drug effects
  • Melanosomes/metabolism
  • Melanosomes/radiation effects
  • Enzyme Inhibitors/chemistry
  • Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology
  • Ubiquitin/metabolism
  • Oxidation-Reduction/drug effects
  • Oxidation-Reduction/radiation effects
  • Skin Pigmentation/drug effects
  • Skin Pigmentation/genetics
  • Skin Pigmentation/radiation effects*
PubMed
34233163 Full text @ Cell
Abstract
Ultraviolet (UV) light and incompletely understood genetic and epigenetic variations determine skin color. Here we describe an UV- and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF)-independent mechanism of skin pigmentation. Targeting the mitochondrial redox-regulating enzyme nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT) resulted in cellular redox changes that affect tyrosinase degradation. These changes regulate melanosome maturation and, consequently, eumelanin levels and pigmentation. Topical application of small-molecule inhibitors yielded skin darkening in human skin, and mice with decreased NNT function displayed increased pigmentation. Additionally, genetic modification of NNT in zebrafish alters melanocytic pigmentation. Analysis of four diverse human cohorts revealed significant associations of skin color, tanning, and sun protection use with various single-nucleotide polymorphisms within NNT. NNT levels were independent of UVB irradiation and redox modulation. Individuals with postinflammatory hyperpigmentation or lentigines displayed decreased skin NNT levels, suggesting an NNT-driven, redox-dependent pigmentation mechanism that can be targeted with NNT-modifying topical drugs for medical and cosmetic purposes.
Genes / Markers
Figures
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Phenotype
Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
Engineered Foreign Genes
Mapping