Cited by 550Photochemistry and Electron Transfer Studiesmelanin and skin pigmentationSkin Protection and Aging

Chemiexcitation of melanin derivatives induces DNA photoproducts long after UV exposure

Open access
Premi, Sanjay, Wallisch, Silvia, Mano, Camila M., Weiner, Adam B., Bacchiocchi, Antonella, Wakamatsu, Kazumasa, Bechara, Etelvino J. H., Halaban, Ruth +2 more·2015·Science

Abstract

The dark side of melanin exposed: Sun worshippers may have more to worry about than the DNA damage that occurs while they're relaxing on the beach. It seems that the DNA photoproducts responsible for cancer-causing mutations in skin cells continue to be generated for hours after sunlight exposure. Premi et al. find that a key mediator of this delayed damage is melanin, a pigment thought to protect against cancer (see the Perspective by Taylor). They propose a “chemiexcitation” model in which reactive oxygen and nitrogen species induced by ultraviolet light excite an electron in melanin fragments. This energy is then transferred to DNA, inducing the same damage as ultraviolet light, but in the dark. Conceivably, this energy could be dissipated by adding quenchers to sunscreens. Science , this issue p. 842 ; see also p. 824

Integrity signals

Registry

Crossref · 10.1126/science.1256022

Cites

38 of 38 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

Statistics

Nothing to recompute.

Claims the paper makes

11 of 45 cited sources checked · 3 supported · 0 flagged · accuracy not yet measured

  • Interpretationcitation

    The melanin requirement for nuclear nitration suggests that the nitric oxide requirement in melanocytes differs from that in cultured keratinocytes.

    “The melanin requirement suggests that the NO• requirement in melanocytes is distinct from that observed in cultured keratinocytes (18).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [18] source

      The Discussion (page unavailable) describes UVA-induced reactive oxygen species in keratinocytes as arising primarily through Nox1-based NADPH oxidase. It does not address a nitric oxide requirement in keratinocytes or compare one with melanocytes; searches for nitric oxide, NO synthase, and nitration found no passage supporting that comparison. (LLM, conf=0.75)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Braf-mutant mice carrying the pheomelanin-associated Mc1re/e allele develop 10 times more spontaneous melanomas.

    “Braf-mutant mice develop 10 times more spontaneous melanomas if they carry the pheomelanin-associated Mc1re/e allele (4).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [4] source

      The paper’s results passage (labelled Abstract; page unavailable) reports that red Mc1re/e Braf-mutant mice developed melanomas without UV exposure at a higher rate than black Braf-mutant mice, with more than 50% of red mice having tumors after one year. Our copy does not give a tenfold comparison, so the precise magnitude attributed to the paper is not supported. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Interpretationreasoning

    The double nature of melanin would explain the apparent cancer-facilitating effects of melanin seen in mice and human epidemiology.

    “This double nature would explain the apparent cancer-facilitating effects of melanin seen in mice and in human epidemiology (2-4, 6).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim3 of 4 sources checked
    • cites [2] source
    • cites [3] source
    • cites [4] source
    • cites [6] source

      The Discussion (page unavailable) describes a balance between melanin’s protection and photosensitizing damage, and suggests photosensitization may contribute to the elevated skin-cancer risk associated with red or blonde hair. It also proposes that melanin-related cell death could favor expansion of mutant cells. The paper does not report cancer-facilitating effects of melanin in mice; its mouse experiments measured UV-induced cell death, not cancer. (LLM, conf=0.82)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    Most mutations in human melanomas show the UV signature of C→T substitutions at adjacent pyrimidines.

    “Yet melanin's ROS generating properties do not explain its role in melanoma development because most mutations in human melanomas display the UV signature of C →T substitutions at sites of adjacent pyrimidines (8, 9).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim2 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [8] source

      The Introduction and “Canonical Mutations vs Signature Mutations” section report a preponderance of UV-signature mutations in melanomas from sun-exposed body sites. The claim omits that restriction and extends the finding to human melanomas generally. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [9] source

      The Results (Landscape of nonsynonymous somatic mutations; page unavailable) report an excess of UV-linked C>T mutations at dipyrimidines in sun-exposed melanomas. The Discussion says the UV signature was not detected in acral, mucosal, or ocular melanomas. Thus the source supports the signature in sun-exposed melanomas, but not the claim as stated for human melanomas generally. (LLM, conf=0.85)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • Premisecitation

    UVA-irradiated mice do not develop melanoma if they lack melanin.

    “UVA-irradiated mice do not develop melanoma if they lack melanin (3)”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 1 sources checked
  • May combine two claims. 33
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. 11
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The UVB dark CPD process depends on melanin and is distinct from delayed CPD reported in other cell types after UVC or UVB.

    “The UVB process was also dependent on melanin and thus it differs from the delayed production of CPD that has been reported occasionally in other cell types after UVC or UVB exposure (16-18).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [16]

      Couldn’t be matched to a paper in Crossref, so it can’t be checked.

    • cites [17] source
    • cites [18] source

      The UVA irradiation and NADPH oxidase sections describe reactive oxygen species in UVA-exposed keratinocytes, not UVB-induced dark CPDs. Searches for melanin, CPDs, and delayed CPD production after UVB or UVC found no passage addressing the claim in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.75)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    UVA induces melanoma in mice and in humans who use tanning beds, but it is inefficient at making the cytosine-containing CPD that cause C→T mutations.

    “The lower-energy UVA (315-400 nm), which constitutes ~95% of the ultraviolet energy that penetrates the atmosphere, also induces melanoma in mice and in humans who use tanning beds, but it is inefficient at making the cytosine-containing CPD that cause C→T mutations (12, 13).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [12] source

      The Abstract Results report elevated melanoma odds among indoor tanners, including users of primarily UVA-emitting devices. The Discussion cautions that the study cannot determine whether UVA or UVB caused those associations. The paper does not report melanoma induction in mice or address cytosine-containing CPDs and C→T mutations. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
    • cites [13] source
    • Rests on an assumption: UVA accounts for about 95% of the ultraviolet energy that reaches the Earth's surface.
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    UV-irradiated melanin, especially pheomelanin, triggers apoptosis, reactive oxygen species production, and DNA strand breaks.

    “UV-irradiated melanin, especially pheomelanin, triggers apoptosis and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and DNA strand breaks (5, 6).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim1 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [5] source
    • cites [6] source

      The Abstract concludes that UV-irradiated melanin, particularly pheomelanin, photosensitizes nearby cells to apoptosis. It also says irradiated melanin generates reactive oxygen species in vitro or in cultured cells, which can indirectly cause DNA strand breaks. The claim overstates the strand-break finding: the Results report no detectable signal above background for single-strand breaks immediately after UV irradiation of mouse skin. (LLM, conf=0.88)

      Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    UVA-irradiated melanocytes generated ultra-weak chemiluminescence for several hours after irradiation, and only melanin-containing cells did so.

    “UVA-irradiated melanocytes generated ultra-weak chemiluminescence for several hours post-irradiation and only in cells containing melanin (Fig. 3F,G).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Basal 3-nitrotyrosine nitration activity is present without UV, is located primarily in the nucleus, and requires melanin.

    “Assays for 3-nitrotyrosine revealed that basal nitration activity was present even without UV, that it was located primarily in the nucleus, and that its appearance required melanin (Fig. 3D,E) (fig. S2D).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Human melanocytes also generate dark CPD after UVA or UVB exposure, with inter-individual variation especially for UVA.

    “Human melanocytes also generated dark CPD after UVA or UVB exposure (Fig. 1E, fig. S1I) although there was inter-individual variation in the response, particularly for UVA.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingreasoning

    DBAS, which diverts triplet energy to luminescence, also blocked dark CPD.

    “Because DBAS diverts triplet energy to luminescence, this compound also blocked dark CPD (fig. S2E).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    N-acetylcysteine suppressed dark CPD production by 64%, and α-tocopherol abolished it.

    “The former suppressed production of dark CPD by 64% and the latter abolished it (figs. S2A,B).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Unirradiated normal melanocytes, but not albino melanocytes, showed dark granules in the cytoplasm, especially near the nucleus.

    “Unirradiated normal melanocytes but not albino melanocytes showed dark granules in the cytoplasm, especially in the perinuclear area (fig. S5).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The eumelanin monomer DHICA and the pheomelanin monomer 5SCD generated chemiluminescence when oxidized.

    “The eumelanin monomer 5,6-dihydroxyindole-2-carboxylic acid (DHICA) and the pheomelanin monomer 5-S-cysteinyldopa (5SCD) also generated chemiluminescence when oxidized (Fig. 4A).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    Scanning the HPLC fraction across the small-molecule region revealed four principal m/z peaks, with the second largest at 224 daltons.

    “Scanning this fraction of the HPLC eluate across the small-molecule region of the mass spectrometer revealed four principal m/z peaks, of which the second largest was 224 daltons (Fig. 4F).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Findingown data

    The chemiluminescence began immediately and continued for more than 10 minutes.

    “We found that chemiluminescence began immediately and proceeded for >10 min.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Dark CPD were also induced during UVA irradiation itself, because CPD were inhibited below the 0 h level.

    “CPD were inhibited to a level below that at 0 h, indicating that dark CPD were also induced during the irradiation itself.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    The absence of delayed CPD in albino melanocytes implicates melanin and excludes photosensitizing compounds in the growth medium as the cause.

    “The negative result with albino melanocytes implicated melanin in the process and ruled out the involvement of photosensitizing compounds in the growth medium.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Pheomelanin is both a weaker shield against normal CPD formation and a stronger generator of dark CPD.

    “This suggests that pheomelanin is both a poorer shield against normal CPD formation and a more potent dark CPD generator.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Study design and conductown data

    Mass spectrometry ruled out cross-reaction of the ELISA and comet assays with melanin-DNA adducts and ruled out greater antibody or endonuclease access due to DNA conformation change after UV.

    “Mass spectrometry ruled out the possibilities that (i) the ELISA and comet assays cross-reacted with melanin-DNA adducts and (ii) the delayed CPD appearance reflected greater access of the antibody or endonuclease due to a change in DNA conformation after UV exposure.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing), S4 (based).

    Interpretationnone given

    The inter-individual variation in human melanocyte dark CPD likely reflects genetic differences between donors.

    “This likely reflects genetic differences between the donors.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationcitation

    Because triplet carbonyls last about 10 μs, a chemiluminescence signal lasting hours indicates ongoing creation of triplet states.

    “The lifetime of triplet carbonyls is ~10 μs (24), so a signal persistent over the course of hours indicates ongoing creation.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Blondes and redheads have a higher pheomelanin-to-eumelanin ratio and a 2-4 times greater melanoma risk than dark-haired individuals, and the ratio accounts for some of this risk.

    “Blondes and redheads, who have a higher ratio of yellow pheomelanin to brown eumelanin in their skin and hair, have a 2-4 times greater risk for melanoma than dark-haired individuals and the pheomelanin/eumelanin ratio accounts for some of this risk (2).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [2] source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    UV-signature mutations arise from CPD, which join adjacent pyrimidines and distort the DNA helix.

    “Such mutations arise from cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers (CPD), which join adjacent pyrimidines to distort the DNA helix (10, 11);”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [10] source
    • cites [11] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    An effect of antioxidants on CPD detectable immediately after UV has been reported, but it was linked to changes in chromatin structure.

    “An effect of antioxidants on CPD detectable immediately after UV has been reported, but was linked to changes in chromatin structure (20).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [20] source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    A diagnostic for excited triplet states is that their energy can discharge as ultra-weak blue or green luminescence.

    “A diagnostic for excited triplet states is that their energy can also discharge via ultra-weak blue or green luminescence (23).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [23] source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    The DHICA analog of the predicted eumelanin degradation product has a molecular weight of 225 daltons and would be highly polar.

    “The DHICA analog of the predicted eumelanin degradation product (29) (Fig. 4E, structure 1) has a molecular weight of 225 daltons and would be highly polar.”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [29] source
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The sustained time course of dark CPD generation can be explained by prolonged UV induction of NOX and iNOS, peroxynitrite-induced melanin solubilization or release of pre-melanin monomers, and migration to the nucleus.

    “The sustained time course of dark CPD generation can be accounted for by the prolonged steps of UV-induction of NOX and iNOS, peroxynitrite-induced solubilization of melanin to fragments or release of pre-melanin monomers from UV-damaged melanosomes and vesicles, and migration to the nucleus.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    Melanin may be carcinogenic as well as protective against cancer.

    “A consequence of these events is that melanin may be carcinogenic as well as protective against cancer.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    An alternative reaction forms a dioxetane moiety at the pyrrole ring, also leading to a polar structure of 225 daltons.

    “An alternative reaction is formation of a dioxetane moiety at the pyrrole ring (32), also leading to a polar structure of 225 daltons (structure 2).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [32] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S2 (checkable).

    Premisecitation

    Melanin is an unusual polymer whose properties set the stage for the described events.

    “Melanin is an unusual polymer whose properties set the stage for the events we have described (33).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [33] source
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing).

    Premisecitation

    It was proposed long ago that chemiexcitation has broad importance in biology.

    “It was proposed long ago that chemiexcitation – the creation of chemical reaction products containing excited electrons that underlie bioluminescence in lower organisms – has broad importance in biology (22, 23).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [22] source
    • cites [23] source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    UV exposure excites melanin rings to an energy that, especially for pheomelanin, ejects an electron captured by oxygen to yield more superoxide.

    “UV exposure additionally excites the rings to an energy that, especially for pheomelanin, ejects an electron that is captured by oxygen to yield more O2•- (5, 34).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 2 sources checked
    • cites [5] source
    • cites [34] source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Melanin monomer synthesis is a redox reaction that releases superoxide, and melanosomes are assembled in the perinuclear space.

    “Peroxynitrite's presence in the nucleus without UV exposure is plausible because synthesis of melanin monomers is a redox reaction that releases O2•– (7) and melanosomes are assembled in the perinuclear space.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [7] source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Melanin monomers are lipophilic and potentially able to enter the nucleus, and they are concentrated in perinuclear coated vesicles before transfer to melanosomes.

    “These monomers are lipophilic and are therefore potentially able to enter the nucleus, and are concentrated in perinuclear coated vesicles before transfer to melanosomes (27).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [27]
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationreasoning

    These excited products transfer triplet energy to DNA hours after UV exposure, creating mutagenic CPD in the dark.

    “These evanescent electronically excited products transfer their triplet energy to DNA hours after the original UV exposure, creating mutagenic cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers in the dark.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Interpretationown data

    Exposing melanin-containing cells to UV induces superoxide and nitric oxide, causes an orders-of-magnitude peroxynitrite spike that degrades melanin, allows melanin-like granules in the nucleus, and excites melanin derivatives to a triplet state with the energy of a UV photon.

    “In summary, we have shown that exposing melanin-containing cells to UV radiation induces superoxide and nitric oxide, causing an orders-of-magnitude peroxynitrite spike that degrades melanin, allows melanin-like granules to appear in the nucleus, and excites melanin derivatives to a triplet state that has the high energy of a UV photon (Fig. 5).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    NADPH oxidase is a longer-lasting source of superoxide in cells and is rapidly induced by UVA.

    “A longer-lasting source of O2•– in cells is NADPH oxidase (NOX), which is rapidly induced by UVA (19).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [19] source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Premisecitation

    Peroxynitrite is generated by the reaction of superoxide with nitric oxide.

    “One of the few biologically-synthesized molecules that can initiate such “photochemistry in the dark” (22, 23) is peroxynitrite (ONOO–) (24), which is generated by the reaction of O2•– with nitric oxide (NO•).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [24] source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim.

    Interpretationreasoning

    The slow course of dark photochemistry allows intervention.

    “One benefit of dark photochemistry's slow course is that it allows intervention.”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim
  • Probably not a substantial claim: may not pass S3 (load-bearing). May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Melanin protects against sunlight-induced burns, DNA damage, and skin cancer because of its broad absorption spectrum and possibly radical scavenging.

    “The pigment melanin protects against sunlight-induced burns, DNA damage, and skin cancer due to an unusually broad absorption spectrum and perhaps radical scavenging activity (1).”
    Quote in the paperNot a substantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [1] source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    NOX and iNOS are UV-inducible within minutes and are expressed in melanocytes, including nuclear NOX4.

    “NOX and the NO• generator iNOS are UV-inducible within minutes and are expressed in melanocytes, including nuclear NOX4 (25).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [25] source
  • May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    α-Tocopherol is an antioxidant and also inactivates dioxetanes by converting them to a pair of diols.

    “A blocker of dark CPD, α-tocopherol (vitamin E), is not only an antioxidant but also inactivates dioxetanes by converting them to a pair of diols (35).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 1 sources checked
    • cites [35] source
  • Classified as probably not a substantial claim. May combine two claims.

    Premisecitation

    Melanin polymer rapidly solubilizes when exposed to hydrogen peroxide, and its degradation by peroxidation or UV-photoionization has been proposed to involve dioxetane and triplet carbonyls.

    “Melanin polymer rapidly solubilizes when exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) (28) and its degradation by peroxidation or UV-photoionization has been proposed to involve dioxetane and triplet carbonyls (29, 30).”
    Quote in the paperSubstantial claim0 of 3 sources checked
    • cites [28]

      Not checked in the free run.

    • cites [29] source
    • cites [30] source
40 of 40
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    UVA accounts for about 95% of the ultraviolet energy that reaches the Earth's surface.

    “The lower-energy UVA (315-400 nm), which constitutes ~95% of the ultraviolet energy that penetrates the atmosphere, also induces melanoma in mice and in humans who use tanning beds, but it is inefficient at making the cytosine-containing CPD that cause C→T mutations (12, 13).”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Disorders of CPD repair, such as xeroderma pigmentosum, increase childhood melanoma risk by 10,000-fold.

    “genetic disorders of CPD repair such as xeroderma pigmentosum elevate the risk for childhood melanoma by 10,000-fold.”
  • The paper relies on this without support.

    Peroxynitrite and nitric oxide can diffuse far enough from where they are made to reach their target molecules.

    “Peroxynitrite and NO• are stable enough to diffuse significant distances from the site of generation to the target molecule.”
  • The authors state this as an assumption.

    The dark cytoplasmic granules seen in unirradiated normal melanocytes are melanin aggregates located in melanosomes, coated vesicles, and endoplasmic reticulum.

    “We presume these are melanin aggregates in melanosomes, coated vesicles, and endoplasmic reticulum because they have the same size and cellular locations as granules seen in melanocytes immunostained for tyrosinase (31).”
4 of 4

Claims other papers make about this one

Each is checked against this paper’s own text: does it say what the citing paper says it does?

  • This result suggests melanin-like reactants might create dCPDs by a reaction other than the indole ring dioxetane proposed earlier.

    “This result suggests that melanin-like reactants might be creating dCPDs by a reaction other than the indole ring dioxetane proposed in reference (32).”

    From Chemiexcitation: Mammalian Photochemistry in the Dark<sup>†</sup> (2023) · cites this paper as [32]

    In “Electronically Excited Melanin as a Molecular Vector” (page unavailable), the paper describes a pyrrole-ring dioxetane as an alternative reaction and reports evidence suggesting it is the predominant product. It does not propose the indole-ring dioxetane mechanism that the citing sentence attributes to it. (LLM, conf=0.83)

    Checked by a reasoning model — may be wrong.

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • UV-filtering melanin is present in all keratinocytes of the epidermis but absent in corneal epidermal cells.

    “This means that UV-filtering melanin can be found in all keratinocytes of the epidermis whereas it is absent in corneal epidermal cells [ 70 ].”

    From Faster DNA Repair of Ultraviolet-Induced Cyclobutane Pyrimidine Dimers and Lower Sensitivity to Apoptosis in Human Corneal Epithelial Cells than in Epidermal Keratinocytes (2016) · cites this paper as [70]

    The section on delayed cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer induction says epidermal keratinocytes receive pigment from melanocytes, and the paper describes melanin as shielding against UV damage. It does not establish that all epidermal keratinocytes contain melanin or that corneal epidermal cells lack it. (LLM, conf=0.86)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The generation of ROS and peroxynitrites, mainly in mouse melanocytes that only synthesize pheomelanin, contributes to delayed induction of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers post-UV exposure, increasing the risk for UV signature mutations prevalent in melanoma.

    “The generation of ROS and peroxynitrites, mainly in mouse melanocytes that only synthesize pheomelanin, contributes to the delayed induction of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, the major form of DNA photoproducts, post-UV exposure, which increases the risk for UV signature mutations that are prevalent in melanoma [ 20 ].”

    From Differential Induction of Reactive Oxygen Species and Expression of Antioxidant Enzymes in Human Melanocytes Correlate with Melanin Content: Implications on the Response to Solar UV and Melanoma Susceptibility (2022) · cites this paper as [20]

    Split into 2 atoms — 1 confirmed, 1 partially supported, 0 disputed, 0 misattributed, 0 unverifiable. Expand the claim to see per-atom verdicts.

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • In the first step of that reaction, brief UV exposure activates NOS and NOX to generate nitric oxide and superoxide for hours afterward; the induction mechanism is unknown.

    “a brief UV exposure activates the enzymes nitric oxide synthase (NOS) and NADPH oxidase (NOX) to generate the radicals nitric oxide (•NO) and superoxide (O2•−) for hours afterward; the mechanism of induction is still not known.”

    From Chemiexcitation: Mammalian Photochemistry in the Dark<sup>†</sup> (2023) · cites this paper as [32]

    The Photochemical Pathway section says NOX and iNOS are UV-inducible within minutes and identifies them as sources of superoxide and nitric oxide; the Proposed Scheme describes prolonged UV induction of both enzymes. The paper does not establish that both radicals are generated for hours after exposure. It says the specific isozymes remain unidentified, but does not explicitly say that the mechanism of enzyme induction is unknown. Page numbers are unavailable in our copy. (LLM, conf=0.82)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured
  • The melanin-to-DNA chemiexcitation process is initiated by nitric oxide and superoxide, radicals triggered by ultraviolet light or inflammation.

    “That process was initiated by nitric oxide and superoxide, radicals triggered by ultraviolet light or inflammation.”

    From Chemiexcitation: Mammalian Photochemistry in the Dark<sup>†</sup> (2023) · cites this paper as [32]

    The “Proposed Scheme for the Participation of Melanin in Melanoma Development” section says UV exposure induces superoxide and nitric oxide, which lead to excitation of melanin derivatives and subsequent DNA photoproducts. The “Photochemical Pathway” section likewise describes their role in producing peroxynitrite. Our copy does not attribute initiation of this process to inflammation. (LLM, conf=0.88)

    Experimental — accuracy not yet measured

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Authors
Premi, S., Wallisch, S., Mano, C. M., Weiner, A. B., Bacchiocchi, A., Wakamatsu, K., Bechara, E. J. H., Halaban, R., Douki, T., & Brash, D. E.
Affiliations
  • Yale University (US)
  • Universidade de São Paulo (BR)
  • Fujita Health University (JP)
  • Yale Cancer Center (US)
  • Université Joseph Fourier (FR)
Corresponding author
  • Bechara, Etelvino J. H.
  • Douki, Thierry
  • Brash, Douglas E.
Venue
Science
Published
2015-02-20
Volume
347
Issue
6224
Pages
842-847
ISSN
  • 0036-8075 (ISSN-L)
  • 1095-9203
OpenAlex
W2093971029
Cited by
550
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 34 · 2025: 47 · 2024: 43 · 2023: 43 · 2022: 54 · 2021: 66 · 2020: 46 · 2019: 45 · 2018: 45 · 2017: 46 · 2016: 53 · 2015: 24 · 2014: 3 · 2013: 1
FWCI
38.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • HAL (submittedVersion)
Funders
  • Department of Defense CDMRP (CA093473P1, CA093473)
  • University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna
  • Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo
  • FAPESP (06/56530-4)
  • NIH (P50 CA121974, P30 DK34989)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Chemistry › Physical and Theoretical Chemistry › Photochemistry and Electron Transfer Studies
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Cell Biology › melanin and skin pigmentation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Dermatology › Skin Protection and Aging
Keywords
melanin, chemiexcitation, cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers, DNA photoproducts, melanoma, UVA, melanocytes, triplet state, reactive oxygen species, reactive nitrogen species, tanning beds
MeSH terms
Animals, Cells, Cultured, Cytosine, DNA, DNA Damage, Energy Transfer, Humans, Melanins, Melanocytes, Melanoma, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mutation, Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced, Pyrimidine Dimers, Skin Neoplasms, Sunlight, Thymine, Ultraviolet Rays, Mutagenesis, Photons, Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1, Mice

About these checks

Registry, retraction, Cites and statistics results are computed, not judged, with one exception: a printed reference that no index lists is read once by a model before it counts as a citation error. Claims are extracted by a model and kept only when their quote appears verbatim in the text; each cited source is then checked, with a model’s help, for whether it says what the claim relies on. Those verdicts can be wrong — read the claim’s quote and the cited source before relying on one.

Claims read under definition version 3 (extract-v3) on 2026-09-28.

Classified by jev-1.13-20260917 (gold-guideline-v0.2) on 2026-09-28.

Cited sources are checked by gpt-6-sol.

Statistics and arithmetic are recomputed, not judged.

Confidence bands are shown only for fields calibrated on our annotated test set. None is calibrated yet, so no band is shown.

What counts as a claim ›How we measure confidence ›How we check this ›

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