Myriocin, a serine palmitoyltransferase inhibitor, increases melanin synthesis in Mel-Ab cells and a skin equivalent model.

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of myriocin, an inhibitor of serine palmitoyltransferase, on melanogenesis. It was found that myriocin increased melanin synthesis in a concentration-dependent manner. Moreover, myriocin up-regulated microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) and tyrosinase expression via phosphorylation of CREB, but it did not directly activate tyrosinase, a rate-limiting melanogenic enzyme. Furthermore, we demonstrated increased melanin synthesis with myriocin on a pigmented skin equivalent model established using Cervi cornus Colla (deer antler glue). One and 5 M of myriocin darkened the color of the skin equivalent. These results suggest that myriocin may have potential effects for the treatment of hypopigmentary skin diseases like vitiligo or for sunless tanning.