Exploiting tyrosinase expression and activity in melanocytic tumors: quercetin and the central role of p53

Integr Cancer Ther. 2011 Dec;10(4):328-40. doi: 10.1177/1534735410391661. Epub 2010 Dec 31.

Abstract

Melanoma is an aggressive tumor that expresses the pigmentation enzyme tyrosinase. Tyrosinase expression increases during tumorigenesis, which could allow for selective treatment of this tumor type by strategies that use tyrosinase activity. Approaches targeting tyrosinase would involve gene transcription or signal transduction pathways mediated by p53 in a direct or indirect manner. Two pathways are proposed for exploiting tyrosinase expression: (a) a p53-dependent pathway leading to apoptosis or arrest and (b) a reactive oxygen species-mediated induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress in p53 mutant tumors. Both strategies could use tyrosinase-mediated activation of quercetin, a dietary polyphenol that induces the expression of p53 and modulates reactive oxygen species. In addition to antitumor signaling properties, activation of quercetin could complement conventional cancer therapy by the induction of phase II detoxification enzymes resulting in p53 stabilization and transduction of its downstream targets. In conclusion, recent advances in tyrosinase enzymology, prodrug chemistry, and modern chemotherapeutics present an intriguing and selective multitherapy targeting system where dietary bioflavonoids could be used to complement conventional cancer treatments.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Apoptosis
  • Genes, p53* / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Melanoma / drug therapy
  • Melanoma / enzymology*
  • Melanoma / genetics
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / genetics
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase / metabolism*
  • Neuroblastoma / enzymology*
  • Neuroblastoma / genetics
  • Quercetin / metabolism
  • Quercetin / pharmacokinetics
  • Quercetin / pharmacology*
  • Reactive Oxygen Species / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / drug effects
  • Signal Transduction / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Skin Neoplasms / enzymology*
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics

Substances

  • Reactive Oxygen Species
  • Quercetin
  • Monophenol Monooxygenase