Protein Kinase C-$\beta$ Is Induced In Ionizing Irradiation Induced Pigmentation

Cutaneous hyperpigmentation is a well-known consequence of both acute and chronic X-irradiation, although the molecular mechanisms involved are not well understood. Recently, protein kinase C-$\beta$ (PKC-$\beta$) was shown to activate tyrosinase, a key and the rate-limiting enzyme in melanogenesis [1]. In this study, we have investigated its role in mediating ionizing radiation-induced pigmentation by exposing cultured human melanocytes to X-irradiation. Increased tyrosinase activity after the 4 Gys exposure was observed within 48 hrs and total melanin content doubled after 7 days. Interestingly, tyrosinase mRNA level was not affected by X-irradiation. However, there was a 2-3 fold increase in PKC-$\beta$ mRNA after 48 hours of irradiation, coinciding with the increase in tyrosinase activity. This induction was not due to non-specific heat generated during the irradiation because when melanocytes were incubated at 4$0^{\circ}C$, there was no induction of PKC-$\beta$ mRNA. Taken together, these data suggest that X-irradiation induces cutaneous hyperpigmentation, at least in part, by up-regulating the level of PKC-$\beta$.