SATCM Third Grade Laboratory of Chinese Medicine and Photonics Technology, College of Biophotonics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510631, China.
Published: March 2017
AI Article Synopsis
Article Abstract
Melanin plays an indispensable role in the human body. It serves as a biological reducer for the green synthesis of precious metal nanoparticles. Melanin-Ag nanocomposites were successfully produced which exhibited very strong surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) effect because of the reducibility property of melanin. A melanin-Ag composite structure was synthesized in situ in melanin cells, and SERS technique was performed for the rapid imaging and quantitative assay of intracellular melanin. This imaging technique was also used to successfully trace the formation and secretion of intracellular melanin after stimulation with melanin-stimulating hormones. Based on the self-reducing property of melanin, the proposed SERS imaging method can provide potentially powerful analytical detection tools to study the biological functions of melanin and to prevent and cure melanin-related diseases.
Rhabdomyolysis (RM)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) involves the release of large amounts of iron ions from excess myoglobin in the kidneys, which mediates the overproduction of reactive species with the onset of iron overload via the Fenton reaction, thus inducing ferroptosis and leading to renal dysfunction. Unfortunately, there are no effective treatments for AKI other than supportive care. Herein, we developed a multifunctional nanoplatform (MPD) by covalently bonding melanin nanoparticles (MP NPs) to deferoxamine.
Fungi can synthesize a diverse range of melanins with appropriate physicochemical and biological characteristics for numerous applications in health, environmental protection, energy, and industry. Gaining deeper insights into the chemical structures, biosynthetic pathways, and regulatory mechanisms of fungal melanin would establish a basis for metabolic engineering approaches, aimed at enhancing production efficiency and creating custom-designed melanin with desirable material properties. Due to growing interest in their beneficial effects and applications, research on the structure, biosynthesis, and regulation of fungal melanin has significantly advanced.
Melanin is a dark pigment found in many organisms that interacts with various forms of electromagnetic radiation, such as X-rays, γ-rays, and Ultraviolet visible light, providing protection against radiation damage to the host. The mechanism by which melanin protects against ionizing radiation involves dissipating energy around the cell nucleus to form a perinuclear cap. Additionally, melanin reacts with the free radicals produced by the radiolysis of water, quenching reactive oxygen species.
Prolonged and unprotected exposure to the environment explicitly influences the development of hyperpigmented lesions. The enzyme tyrosinase (TYR) is a key target for regulating melanin synthesis. Several bioactive compounds derived from plant extracts have been found to possess potent anti-melanogenesis properties against TYR.
Tyrosinase, a key protein in the biosynthesis of melanin pigments, is crucial in determining skin pigmentation. Inhibiting tyrosinase activity is a promising approach for treating conditions related to excessive pigmentation. For the synthesis of more potent tyrosinase inhibitors, we combined two approaches, para-substitution and lipophilicity, to enhance the inhibitory properties of ()-2-(4-hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazine-1-carbotiamide, whose enzyme inhibitory properties have been previously demonstrated.
