n-(2-(5-methoxy-2-oxo-2-3-dihydro-1h-indol-3-yl)ethyl)acetamide and methoxytryptophol

Melatonin is produced in almost all living taxa and is probably 2-3 billion years old. Its pleiotropic activities are related to its local concentration that is secondary to its local synthesis, delivery from distant sites and metabolic or non-enzymatic consumption. This consumption generates metabolites through indolic, kynuric and cytochrome P450 (CYP) mediated hydroxylations and O-demethylation or non-enzymatic processes, with potentially diverse phenotypic effects. While melatonin acts through receptor-dependent and receptor-independent mechanisms, receptors for melatonin metabolites remain to be identified, while their receptor-independent activities are well documented. The human skin with its main cellular components including malignant cells can both produce and rapidly metabolize melatonin in cell-type and context-dependent fashion. The predominant metabolism in human skin occurs through indolic, CYP-mediated and kynuric pathways with main metabolites represented by 6-hydroxymelatonin, N

Topics: Animals; Catalysis; Cricetinae; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System; Epidermis; Female; Homeostasis; Humans; Indoles; Keratinocytes; Male; Melatonin; Methylation; Mutation; Oxidative Stress; Phenotype; Phylogeny; Skin; Ultraviolet Rays