Alpha-neoendorphin can reduce UVB-induced skin photoaging by activating cellular autophagy.

Alpha-neoendorphin can reduce UVB-induced skin photoaging by activating cellular autophagy. Arch Biochem Biophys. 2020 Jun 08;:108437 Authors: Lim GE, Park JE, Cho YH, Lim DS, Kim AJ, Moh SH, Lee JH, Lee JS Abstract Skin aging is influenced by several genetic, physiological, and environmental factors. In particular, ultraviolet (UV) exposure is an important factor involved in inducing skin photoaging. Autophagy controlling homeostatic balance between the synthesis, degradation, and recycling of cellular organelles and proteins plays important regulatory roles in several biological processes, including aging. The opioid neuropeptide α-neoendorphin (named NEP) is an endogenous decapeptide (N-YGGFLRKYPK-C) that activates the kappa opioid receptor and exhibits certain anti-aging and anti-wrinkling effects on skin cells; however, its action mechanism has not yet been elucidated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effects of NEP on anti-skin aging and autophagy activation in human dermal fibroblast cells. Western blot results showed that NEP down-regulates the production of phospho-mammalian target of rapamycin (p-mTOR), whereas increases the expression of key autophagy-related molecules such as Beclin-1, Atg5-Atg12, and LC3-II. The immunocytochemical analysis performed with anti-LC3-II antibody also showed that the autophagic indicators, autophagosomes are formed by NEP. These results suggest that NEP can activate cell...
Source: Archives of Biochemistry and Biophysics - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Tags: Arch Biochem Biophys Source Type: research