Are Human Tyrosinase and Related Proteins Suitable Targets for Melanoma Therapy?

Curr Top Med Chem. 2016;16(27):3033-3047. doi: 10.2174/1568026616666160216160112.

Abstract

Among the human copper-containing monooxygenases, Tyrosinase (Ty) is an important enzyme involved in the determinant step of the biosynthetic pathway of melanin pigment. In this pathway, Ty catalyzes the tyrosine monooxygenation into L-DOPA-quinone, which is the precursor of the skin pigment melanin. Ty inhibitors/activators are a well-established approach for controlling in vivo melanin production, so their development has a huge economical and industrial impact. Moreover, recent publications highlight that targeting tyrosinase with inhibitors/activators to treat melanogenesis disorders is one of many possible approaches, due to the complex biochemical reaction involved in the melanin synthesis.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Biocatalysis
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / drug therapy*
  • Melanoma / enzymology
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Models, Molecular
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / chemistry
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Proteins / chemistry
  • Neoplasm Proteins / drug effects
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • Neoplasm Proteins
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase