The bodys preliminary reaction is to fix DNA damage in skin cells. This concern briefly halts the system accountable for producing melanin, which darkens the skin. This discovery uses possible for future skin defense treatments and perhaps skin cancer avoidance.
Nadav Elkoshi explains: “We have actually 2 systems developed to protect the skin from direct exposure to dangerous UV radiation. The very first mechanism repairs the DNA in the skin cells harmed by the radiation, while the second mechanism includes increased production of melanin, which darkens the skin in order to safeguard it from future direct exposure to radiation.
A study has actually elucidated the science behind the delayed tanning procedure observed after sun exposure. The bodys initial reaction is to repair DNA damage in skin cells. This priority momentarily stops the system accountable for producing melanin, which darkens the skin. Only after the DNA repair work is mainly complete, which takes a few hours post-sun direct exposure, does the tanning procedure start. This discovery provides prospective for future skin protection treatments and potentially skin cancer prevention.
Understanding the Delayed Tanning Phenomenon
People who frequent the beach often experience the surprise of returning home and, hours later, understanding their skin has actually darkened. A current study from Tel Aviv University sheds light on why our skin does not tan immediately after sun exposure however rather takes numerous hours and even days.
The research findings expose the mechanism behind this phenomenon, according to which the bodys preliminary action is to prioritize fixing DNA damage in the skin cells, which hinders the system responsible for skin coloring, commonly referred to as tanning.
Prof. Carmit Levy. Credit: Tel Aviv University
Collaborative Research on Skin Protection Mechanisms
The research study, published in the Nature Groups Journal of Investigative Dermatology, was led by doctoral trainee Nadav Elkoshi and Prof. Carmit Levy of the Department of Human Molecular Genetics and Biochemistry at Tel Aviv Universitys Faculty of Medicine, and in collaboration with a variety of other scientists from Tel Aviv University, Wolfson Medical Center, the Weizmann Institute of Science, the University of California, and Paris-Saclay University.
Nadav Elkoshi explains: “We have 2 systems designed to safeguard the skin from direct exposure to hazardous UV radiation. The first system repair work the DNA in the skin cells harmed by the radiation, while the second system includes increased production of melanin, which darkens the skin in order to secure it from future direct exposure to radiation.
Speculative Verification and Molecular Insights
To evaluate their hypothesis, the Tel Aviv University researchers triggered the DNA repair mechanism in both animal models and human skin tissues. In both, a tan developed even without any direct exposure to UV radiation, validating their findings.
Prof. Carmit Levy: “The genetic info needs to be safeguarded from anomalies, so this repair work mechanism takes precedence inside the cell throughout direct exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun. In our previous research study, we revealed that a protein called MITF, which is triggered during exposure, is responsible for regulating these two mechanisms. In the present study, we show that another protein, called ATM, which plays a key function in DNA repair, activates one system while disabling the other.
Prof. Levy concludes: “This clinical discovery has revealed a molecular system that could act as a structure for more research that may lead to ingenious treatments that will offer maximum defense of the skin against radiation damage; in the long run, it may even add to the avoidance of skin cancer.”
Reference: “Ataxia Telangiectasia Mutated Signaling Delays Skin Pigmentation upon UV Exposure by Mediating MITF Function towards DNA Repair Mode” by Nadav Elkoshi, Shivang Parikh, Hagar Malcov-Brog, Roma Parikh, Paulee Manich, Francesca Netti, Avishai Maliah, Hana Elkoshi, Majd Haj, Ido Rippin, Jacob Frand, Tomer Perluk, Rivi Haiat-Factor, Tamar Golan, Neta Regev-Rudzki, Edo Kiper, Ronen Brenner, Pinchas Gonen, Iris Dror, Hagai Levi and Carmit Levy, 25 May 2023, Journal of Investigative Dermatology.DOI: 10.1016/ j.jid.2023.03.1686.