Abstract: Provided herein are steroidal compounds that are androsta-5,7-dienes or a pregna-5,7-dienes and ultraviolet B (UVB) conversion products thereof which includes pharmaceutical compositions of the steroidal compounds as shown in Tables 1 and 2. Also provided is a method for producing hydroxylated metabolites of cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol via the P450scc (CYP11A1) or CYP27B1 enzyme systems where the hydroxylase has an activity to hydroxylate position C20 of a secosteroid or its 5,7-dieneal precursor and the hydroxylated metabolites so produced. In addition, a method for inhibiting proliferation of either a normally or abnormally proliferating cell by contacting the cell with any of the compounds described herein. A related method is provided of treating a condition associated with the proliferating cell such as a cancer, a skin disorder, a defect in cell differentiation, cosmetic, prophylaxsis, or healthy cell maintenance.

Abstract: Melatonin, which can be produced in the skin, exerts a protective effect against damage induced by ultraviolet radiation (UVR). The present study investigated the effect of UVB, the most damaging component of UVR, on melatonin metabolism in HaCaT keratinocytes and in a cell-free system. Four metabolites were identified by HPLC and LC-MS: 6-hydroxymelatonin, AFMK, 2-hydroxymelatonin (the main intermediate between melatonin and AFMK) and 4-hydroxymelatonin. Concentrations of these photoproducts were directly proportional to UVR-dose and to melatonin substrate content, and their accumulation was time dependent. The UVR-dependent increase of AFMK and 2-hydroxymelatonin was also detected in keratinocytes, where it was accompanied by simultaneous consumption of intracellular melatonin. Of note, melatonin and its two major metabolites, 2-hydroxymelatonin and AFMK, were also detected in untreated keratinocytes, neither irradiated nor preincubated with melatonin.

Abstract: Provided herein are enzymatic methods of producing steroid compounds such as 7-dehydropregnenolone, hydroxy derivatives thereof and vitamin D2- and D3-like compounds and derivatives thereof. Also provided are the derivatives of the vitamin D3-like compounds so generated via the action of cytochrome P450scc enzyme on substrates 7-dehydrocholesterol, vitamin D2 or vitamin D3.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel DNA microarray chip that can be used for simultaneous testing of transcriptional responses to cutaneous stressors in the context of neuro-endocrine-immune functions of the skin. The transcriptional responses to ultraviolet radiation in epidermal keratinocytes were tested using such microarray chip containing more than 700 neuro-endocrine-immune related genes. The gene expression pattern was non-random and time dependent; it included increased expression of genes involved in water and salt balance, prostaglandin synthesis, keratinocyte differentiation as well as genes coding for stress effectors, cytokines and metalloproteinases. In contrast, expression was decreased for genes coding for growth factors and their receptors, and for elements of extracellular matrix.

Abstract: The present invention identifies four new isoforms of human corticotropin releasing hormone receptor type 1 (CRH-R1e, 1f, 1g and 1h) and three new isoforms of mouse corticotropin releasing hormone receptor type 1 (mCRH-R1c, 1e and 1f). The data indicate that polymorphism of CRH-R1 expression is related to anatomic location, skin physiological or pathologic status, specific cell type, external stress (UV), and that cAMP dependent pathways and TPA may regulate CRH-R1.

Abstract: The present invention identifies four new isoforms of human corticotropin releasing hormone receptor type 1 (CRH-R1e, 1f, 1g and 1h) and three new isoforms of mouse corticotropin releasing hormone receptor type 1 (mCRH-R1c, 1e and 1f). The data indicate that polymorphism of CRH-R1 expression is related to anatomic location, skin physiological or pathologic status, specific cell type, external stress (UV), and that cAMP dependent pathways and TPA may regulate CRH-R1.

Abstract: Provided herein are enzymatic methods of producing steroid compounds such as 7-dehydropregnenolone, hydroxy derivatives thereof and vitamin D2- and D3-like compounds and derivatives thereof. Also provided are the derivatives of the vitamin D3-like compounds so generated via the action of cytochrome P450scc enzyme on substrates 7-dehydrocholesterol, vitamin D2 or vitamin D3.

Abstract: The present invention identifies four new isoforms of human corticotropin releasing hormone receptor type 1 (CRH-R1e, 1f, 1g and 1h) and three new isoforms of mouse corticotropin releasing hormone receptor type 1 (mCRH-R1c, 1e and 1f). The data indicate that polymorphism of CRH-R1 expression is related to anatomic location, skin physiological or pathologic status, specific cell type, external stress (UV), and that cAMP dependent pathways and TPA may regulate CRH-R1.