Conversion of L-tryptophan to serotonin and melatonin in human melanoma cells

  • FEBS Lett. 2002 Jan 30;511(1-3):102-6. doi: 10.1016/s0014-5793(01)03319-1.
Andrzej Slominski  1 ,  Igor Semak ,  Alexander Pisarchik ,  Trevor Sweatman ,  Andre Szczesniewski ,  Jacobo Wortsman
Affiliations
  • 1. Department of Pathology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA. [email protected]
PMID: 11821057 DOI: 10.1016/s0014-5793(01)03319-1
Abstract

We showed in human melanoma cells Tryptophan Hydroxylase (TPH) and hydroxyindole methyltransferase genes expression with the sequential enzymatic activities of TPH, serotonin (Ser) N-acetyltransferase and hydroxyindole methyltransferase. The presence of the products Ser, 5OH-tryptophan, N-acetylserotonin, melatonin (Mel), 5-methoxytryptamine and 5-methoxytryptophol was documented by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Thus, human melanoma cells can synthesize and metabolize Ser and Mel.

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