Fig. 4

Effect of SME on mRNA transcription of MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 genes. α-MSH-stimulated cells were treated with SME (5.0 or 10 μg/mL) for 24 h and total RNAs were subsequently extracted. Positive control cells were treated with 100 nM α-MSH and 0.1% DMSO alone, whereas negative control cells with 0.1% DMSO alone. The RNAs were subjected to qRT-PCR. The mRNA expression levels of MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and TRP-2 were evaluated relative to the level of β-actin. Values represent the mean ± SEM from three independent experiments. ^###p < 0.001 versus negative control, ^**p < 0.01, ^***p < 0.001 versus positive control by Tukey’s multiple comparison test