ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Despite the causes for melanin increase, the increased gene expression of TYR is a common pathological process. Based on this viewpoint, antisense-S-Oligo of TYR was designed and synthesized to regulate synthesis of melanin in order to explore the treatment for skin pigmentation.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The cultured melanocytes were divided into 3 groups. The group 1 was treated with endothelin, group 2 treated with ultraviolet ray and group 3 was used as the control. In each group, the 5' antisense-S-Oligo, the 3' antisense-S-Oligo, the mixed antisense-S-Oligo of TYR or Dotap only was added. The melanin content and TYR gene expressions were examined.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The 5' antisense-S-Oligo, the 3' antisense-S-Oligo and the mixed antisense-S-Oligo significantly inhibited the increase of melanin content and TYR gene expression, which were caused by endothelin or ultraviolet ray treatment. Of the three treatments, the 3' antisense-S-Oligo showed the strongest effect.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Antisense-S-Oligo has significant regulating effects on TYR gene expression and melanin content. The 3' antisense-S-Oligo is more effective than the 5' antisense-S-Oligo.</p>