Methods and compositions that affect melanogenesis
AssigneeNew York University
InventorsSeth J. Orlow, Andrea Hall, Prashiela Manga
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Abstract
The invention provides methods of screening for compounds that affect melanogenesis and the function of P protein in organisms, cells, or cell-free systems. The invention further relates to pharmacologic and cosmetic uses of methods of inhibiting melanogenesis, methods of activating melanogenesis, and compounds and pharmacologic compositions useful for the inhibition or activation of melanogenesis and, therefore, for lightening or darkening the pigmentation of cells and tissue, i.e., skin.
Claims12
A method of screening for compounds that inhibit melanogenesis, the method comprising:
- treating mammalian melanogenic cells expressing a tyrosinase-encoding gene with a test compound in vitro, and determining the amount of tyrosinase secreted by the mammalian melanogenic cells in the presence of the test compound;
- wherein an increase in the amount of tyrosinase secreted by the mammalian melanogenic cells in the presence of the test compound as compared to in the absence of the test compound indicates that the test compound is a candidate for a compound that inhibits melanogenesis.
A method of screening for compounds that increase melanogenesis comprising:
- treating mammalian melanogenic cells expressing a tyrosinase-encoding gene with a test compound in vitro, and determining the amount of tyrosinase secreted by the mammalian melanogenic cells in the presence of the test compound;
- wherein a decrease in the amount of tyrosinase secreted by the mammalian melanogenic cells in the presence of the test compound as compared to in the absence of the test compound indicates that the test compound is a candidate for a compound that increases melanogenesis.
A method of screening for compounds that inhibit melanogenesis, the method comprising:
- treating mammalian melanogenic cells expressing a tyrosinase-encoding gene with a test compound in vitro in a medium containing 0.01 mM to 0.05 mM tyrosine, and determining the cellular localization of tyrosinase in the presence of the test compound;
- wherein an increase in the amount of tyrosinase found in non-melanosomal vesicles in the presence of the test compound as compared to in the absence of the test compound indicates that the test compound is a candidate for a compound that inhibits melanogenesis.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.