Stimulation of pigmentation in melanoma cells by trimethylpsoralen in the absence of ultraviolet irradiation

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Abstract
The effects of trimethylpsoralen and 8-methoxypsoralen on the pigmentary characteristics of cultured murine melanoma cells were investigated in the absence of UV irradiation. Stimulation of pigmentation was assayed by gross examination of centrifuged cell pellets, light microscopy of cells, EM, a biochemical determination of cell tyrosinase activity and a chemical determination of cell melanin content. An adequate concentration (10-5 M) of trimethylpsoralen for an adequate exposure time stimulated pigmentation in the dark, whereas 8-methoxypsoralen in the same experimental setting did not stimulate pigmentation.