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Cis-urocanic acid (sunlight-induced): immune suppression via 5-HT2A receptor

• deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
• AnthonBerg 5y ago
  [2006]. Full title of paper: Cis-urocanic acid, a sunlight-induced immunosuppressive factor, activates immune suppression via the 5-HT2A receptor The abstract starts like this: Exposure to UV radiation induces skin cancer and suppresses the immune response. To induce immune suppression, the electromagnetic energy of UV radiation must be absorbed by an epidermal photoreceptor and converted into a biologically recognizable signal. Two photoreceptors have been recognized: DNA and trans-urocanic acid (UCA). Trans-UCA is normally found in the outermost layer of skin and isomerizes to the cis isomer upon exposure to UV radiation. Although UCA was identified as a UV photoreceptor years ago, and many have documented its ability to induce immune suppression, its exact mode of action remains elusive. Particularly vexing has been the identity of the molecular pathway by which cis-UCA mediates immune suppression. Here we provide evidence that cis-UCA binds to the serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] receptor with relatively high affinity (K d = 4.6 nM).
  • AnthonBerg 5y ago
    This paper is interesting as a followup: Molecular basis for cis-urocanic acid as a 5-HT2A receptor agonist [2009] https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.07.143 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bmcl.2009.07.143