Polydopamine and Its Derivative Materials: Synthesis and Promising Applications in Energy, Environmental, and Biomedical Fields

Cutaneous melanin pigment plays a critical role in camouflage, mimicry, social communication, and protection against harmful effects of solar radiation. Melanogenesis is under complex regulatory control by multiple agents interacting via pathways activated by receptor-dependent and -independent mechanisms, in hormonal, auto-, para-, or intracrine fashion. Because of the multidirectional nature and heterogeneous character of the melanogenesis modifying agents, its controlling factors are not organized into simple linear sequences, but they interphase instead in a multidimensional network, with extensive functional overlapping with connections arranged both in series and in parallel. The most important positive regulator of melanogenesis is the MC1 receptor with its ligands melanocortins and ACTH, whereas among the negative regulators agouti protein stands out, determining intensity of melanogenesis and also the type of melanin synthesized. Within the context of the skin as a stress organ, melanogenic activity serves as a unique molecular sensor and transducer of noxious signals and as regulator of local homeostasis. In keeping with these multiple roles, melanogenesis is controlled by a highly structured system, active since early embryogenesis and capable of superselective functional regulation that may reach down to the cellular level represented by single melanocytes. Indeed, the significance of melanogenesis extends beyond the mere assignment of a color trait.

https://www.physiology.org/doi/pdf/10.1152/physrev.00044.2003

Melanin Pigmentation in Mammalian Skin and Its Hormonal Regulation

Spin trapping: ESR parameters of spin adducts.

Cigarette smoke contains two very different populations of free radicals, one in the tar and one in the gas phase. The tar phase contains several relatively stable free radicals; we have identified the principal radical as a quinone/hydroquinone (Q/QH2) complex held in the tarry matrix. We suggest that this Q/QH2 polymer is an active redox system that is capable of reducing molecular oxygen to produce superoxide, eventually leading to hydrogen peroxide and hydroxyl radicals. In addition, we have shown that the principal radical in tar reacts with DNA in vitro, possibly by covalent binding. The gas phase of cigarette smoke contains small oxygen- and carbon-centered radicals that are much more reactive than are the tar-phase radicals. These gas-phase radicals do not arise in the flame, but rather are produced in a steady state by the oxidation of NO to NO2, which then reacts with reactive species in smoke such as isoprene. We suggest that these radicals and the metastable products derived from these radical reactions may be responsible for the inactivation of alpha 1-proteinase inhibitor by fresh smoke. Cigarette smoke oxidizes thiols to disulfides; we suggest the active oxidants are NO and NO2. The effects of smoke on lipid peroxidation are complex, and this is discussed. We also discuss the toxicological implications for the radicals in smoke in terms of a number of radical-mediated disease processes, including emphysema and cancer.

Free-radical chemistry of cigarette smoke and its toxicological implications.

UV radiation (UV) is classified as a "complete carcinogen" because it is both a mutagen and a non-specific damaging agent and has properties of both a tumor initiator and a tumor promoter. In environmental abundance, UV is the most important modifiable risk factor for skin cancer and many other environmentally-influenced skin disorders. However, UV also benefits human health by mediating natural synthesis of vitamin D and endorphins in the skin, therefore UV has complex and mixed effects on human health. Nonetheless, excessive exposure to UV carries profound health risks, including atrophy, pigmentary changes, wrinkling and malignancy. UV is epidemiologically and molecularly linked to the three most common types of skin cancer, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma, which together affect more than a million Americans annually. Genetic factors also influence risk of UV-mediated skin disease. Polymorphisms of the melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R) gene, in particular, correlate with fairness of skin, UV sensitivity, and enhanced cancer risk. We are interested in developing UV-protective approaches based on a detailed understanding of molecular events that occur after UV exposure, focusing particularly on epidermal melanization and the role of the MC1R in genome maintenance.

/pdf/uv-radiation-and-the-skin-2ub2qrbyk1.pdf

UV Radiation and the Skin

Synthetic dopa melanin and cysteinyldopa melanin have different electron spin resonance spectra. Data are reported for mixtures of these melanins and for dopa-cysteinyldopa copolymers, which are spectroscopically similar. A simple parameterization of the spectra allows estimation of the relative amounts of (i) dopa melanin and cysteinyldopa melanin in mixtures and of (ii) dopa and cysteinyldopa incorporated into copolymers. Several natural eumelanins and pheomelanins have been characterized and shown to be copolymers.

Eumelanins and pheomelanins: characterization by electron spin resonance spectroscopy

Synthetic pheomelanins from enzymic oxidation of the 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (dopa) derivative 5-S-cysteinyldopa have been examined by ESR spectroscopy. These alkalisoluble polymers contain a novel kind of free radical that is spectroscopically distinct from that found in eumelanins. Delocalization of the unpaired electron onto a nitrogen atom and the ability of the radical to chelate complexing metal ions strongly suggest an o-semiquinonimine structure. The synthetic pheomelanin was compared with natural red pigments extracted from human red hair and from red chicken feathers. Spectroscopically, the chicken feather pheomelanin is almost identical to synthetic cysteinyldopa pheomelanin. In contrast, the pigment from red hair has a major spectral component very similar to that found in dopa melanin, with a smaller component corresponding to that found in cysteinyldopa melanin.

Novel free radicals in synthetic and natural pheomelanins: distinction between dopa melanins and cysteinyldopa melanins by ESR spectroscopy

Reaction of superoxide anions with melanins: electron spin resonance and spin trapping studies.

— Measurements of photosensitized free-radical production and oxygen consumption have been made in several melanin systems. The melanins studied were cysteinyldopa melanin (a model for pheomelanin), natural pheomelanins extracted from red hair and from red chicken feathers, and eumelanin extracted from bovine eyes. Rose Bengal was used as photosensitizer. A significant enhancement in the rates of free radical production and oxygen consumption was found in all systems when sensitizer was present. The largest effects were found with cysteinyldopa melanin and effects on pheomelanins were shown to be greater (by factors of4–6) than on eumelanins.

Photosensitization of melanins: a comparative study

Clinical evidence indicates that people with light skin and red hair have a higher incidence of UV radiation-induced diseases including cancer. It is not known whether this is because of the lower protection due to the smaller amounts of eumelanin present in the skin of these people or whether the presence of pheomelanin in their skin is responsible for the higher susceptibility to carcinogenesis. Irradiation of melanoproteins from red hair with UV-visible light has been reported to produce superoxide. Comparative studies on the formation of superoxide during the irradiation of the melanins isolated from human black and red hair (BHM and RHM, respectively) are reported in this paper. These showed that no superoxide formation could be detected in the case of the BHM. whereas the formation of superoxide during the irradiation of RHM could be definitely demonstrated. Irradiation of the RHM with NADH resulted in the oxidation of more NADH than the irradiation of NADH with BHM. The observation that RHM is an active photosensitizer indicates that this property of pheomelanin present in light skin may at least partly be responsible for the harmful effect of radiation on people with light skin and/or red hair. Administration of hematoporphyrin followed by visible irradiation is a currently used mode of therapy for cancer. The present studies have shown that hematoporphyrin is bound to both BHM and RHM. The binding of hematoporphyrin to the melanins increased the formation of superoxide by RHM and the oxidation of NADH by both the melanins. The binding of porphyrins to melanins may have an influence upon the photosensitivity in diseases such as porphyrias and may also affect the therapeutic efficacy of hematoporphyrin.

I. A. Menon

Papers

Eumelanins and pheomelanins: characterization by electron spin resonance spectroscopy

Novel free radicals in synthetic and natural pheomelanins: distinction between dopa melanins and cysteinyldopa melanins by ESR spectroscopy

Reaction of superoxide anions with melanins: electron spin resonance and spin trapping studies.

Photosensitization of melanins: a comparative study

COMPARISON OF THE EFFECTS OF UV‐VISIBLE IRRADIATION OF MELANINS and MELANIN‐HEMATOPORPHYRIN COMPLEXES FROM HUMAN BLACK and RED HAIR