Caffeic Acid Phenethyl Ester Inhibits Alpha-Melanocyte Stimulating Hormone-Induced Melanin Synthesis through Suppressing Transactivation Activity of Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (<b>1</b>), a natural compound found in various plants and propolis, is a well-known anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and cytotoxic agent. The present study aimed to investigate the molecular events underlying the antimelanogenic activity of <b>1</b> in alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-stimulated B16-F10 melanoma cells. In this investigation, <b>1</b> effectively reduced α-MSH-stimulated melanin synthesis by suppressing expression of melanogenic enzymes such as tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1), and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2), although this compound did not directly inhibit tyrosinase enzyme activity. On the other hand, the expression and nuclear translocation of microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) as a key transcription factor for tyrosinase expression regulating melanogenesis were not affected by treatment with <b>1</b>. The upstream signaling pathways including cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB), glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β), and Akt for activation and expression of MITF were also not influenced by <b>1</b>. Interestingly, <b>1</b> inhibited transcriptional activity of a tyrosinase promoter by suppressing the interaction of MITF protein with an M-box containing a CATGTG motif on the tyrosinase promoter. Given the important role of MITF in melanogenesis, suppression of <b>1</b> on the function of MITF to transactivate tyrosinase promoter may present a novel therapeutic approach to treat hyperpigmentation disorders