Nuclear Entry of CRTC1 as Druggable Target of Acquired Pigmentary Disorder.

SOX10 (SRY-related HMG-box 10) and MITF-M (microphthalmia-associated transcription factor M) restrict the expression of melanogenic genes, such as TYR (tyrosinase), in melanocytes. DACE (diacetylcaffeic acid cyclohexyl ester) inhibits melanin production in α-MSH (α-melanocyte stimulating hormone)-activated B16-F0 melanoma cells. In this study, we evaluated the antimelanogenic activity of DACE and elucidated the molecular basis of its action. We employed melanocyte cultures and hyperpigmented skin samples for pigmentation assays, and applied chromatin immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, RT-PCR or siRNA-based knockdown for mechanistic analyses. Topical treatment with DACE mitigated UV-B-induced hyperpigmentation in the skin with attenuated expression of MITF-M and TYR. DACE also inhibited melanin production in α-MSH- or ET-1 (endothelin 1)-activated melanocyte cultures. As a mechanism, DACE blocked the nuclear import of CRTC1 (CREB-regulated co-activator 1) in melanocytes. DACE resultantly inhibited SOX10 induction, and suppressed the transcriptional abilities of CREB/CRTC1 heterodimer and SOX10 at MITF-M promoter, thereby ameliorating facultative melanogenesis. Furthermore, this study unveiled new issues in melanocyte biology that i) KPNA1 (Impα5) escorted CRTC1 as a cargo across the nuclear envelope, ii) SOX10 was inducible in the melanogenic process, and iii) CRTC1 could direct SOX10 induction at the transcription level. We propose the targeting of CRTC1 as a unique strategy in the treatment of acquired pigmentary disorders.