Year: 2010
Type: preprint
Abstract: Cyclic AMP (cAMP) is a ubiquitous second messenger that regulates a variety of biological processes. The magnitude and duration of cAMP expression are regulated by both production and hydrolysis. Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) plays a crucial role in pigment cell differentiation via cAMP-regulated expression of the master transcription factor MITF. We report the identification of phosphodiesterase 4D3 as a direct target of the MSH/cAMP/MITF pathway. This creates a negative feedback loop that induces refractoriness to chronic stimulation of the cAMP pathway in melanocytes. This homeostatic pathway highlights a potent mechanism controlling melanocyte differentiation that may be amenable to pharmacologic manipulation for skin cancer prevention.
Source: Genes & Development
DOI: 10.1101/gad.1937710
Authors: Mehdi Khaled, Carmit Levy, David E. Fisher
Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W2291672274