Jeju Magma-Seawater Inhibits α-MSH-Induced Melanogenesis via CaMKKβ-AMPK Signaling Pathways in B16F10 Melanoma Cells

Melanin protects skin from ultraviolet radiation, toxic drugs, and chemicals. Its synthesis is sophisticatedly regulated by multiple mechanisms, including transcriptional and enzymatic controls. However, uncontrolled excessive production of melanin can cause serious dermatological disorders, such as freckles, melasma, solar lentigo, and cancer. Moreover, melanogenesis disorders are also linked to neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, there is a huge demand for safer and more potent inhibitors of melanogenesis. In the present study, we report novel inhibitory effects of Jeju magma-seawater (JMS) on melanogenesis induced by α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) in B16F10 melanoma cells. JMS is the abundant underground seawater found in Jeju Island, a volcanic island of Korea. Research into the physiological effects of JMS is rapidly increasing due to its high contents of various minerals that are essential to human health. However, little is known about the effects of JMS on melanogenesis. Here, we demonstrate that JMS safely and effectively inhibits α-MSH-induced melanogenesis via the CaMKKβ (calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase β)-AMPK (5′ adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase) signaling pathway. We further demonstrate that AMPK inhibits the signaling pathways of protein kinase A and MAPKs (mitogen-activated protein kinase), which are critical for melanogenesis-related gene expression. Our results highlight the potential of JMS as a novel therapeutic agent for ameliorating skin pigmentation-related disorders.


Introduction
Melanin is a darkly pigmented biopolymer that represents the primary color determinant for the skin, hair, and eyes, and it also protects skin from UV radiation, toxic drugs, and chemicals [1]. Melanin is synthesized in the melanosome (a lysosome-related organelle of melanocytes); this occurs through a highly organized process known as melanogenesis, which is tightly regulated by multiple mechanisms including transcriptional and enzymatic control [2]. Tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein 1 (Trp1), and tyrosinase-related protein 2 (Trp2) are three key enzymes involved in transforming tyrosine to melanin pigments, and these enzymes are transcriptionally regulated by the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) [3]. The paracrine relationship between melanocytes and keratinocytes   (v/v) in the presence or absence of α-MSH, and then the MTT ((3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay was performed. (B) B16F10 cells were treated with 50% JMS for the indicated time periods, and melanin contents were measured. (C) After cells were cultured with α-MSH and JMS for 72 h, cell pellets and culture media were collected and photographed. The melanin contents in cell pellets were further quantified, and melanin secretion was analyzed by measuring absorbance of culture media, as explained in the Materials and Methods section. Tyrosinase activity (D) and the protein (E) and mRNA (F) levels of melanogenesis-related genes were examined under identical conditions. As a positive control, arbutin was used. MITF: microphthalmia-associated transcription factor; MC1R: melanocortin 1 receptor; TRP: (tyrosinase-related protein). * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01.

JMS Inhibits Melanogenesis via Activation of AMPK
Recent studies showed that AMPK mediates some of the beneficial effects of deep-sea water on several aspects of metabolism. However, little is known about the effects of JMS on AMPK or the potential role of AMPK in melanogenesis. Our results demonstrated that JMS activated AMPK in a dose-dependent manner, whereas α-MSH has no effect on AMPK, as judged by the phosphorylation level of Thr172 in AMPKα subunit and Ser79 of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, the substrate of AMPK (Figure 2A). To examine the possible role of AMPK in our system, we treated cells with the AMPK inhibitor, compound C, which effectively blocked JMS-induced AMPK activation ( Figure 2B). The inhibitory effects of JMS on melanin contents, melanin secretion ( Figure 2C), tyrosinase activity ( Figure 2D), and the expression of melanogenesis-related genes ( Figure 2E), were significantly attenuated in the presence of compound C. Although compound C has been extensively used in AMPK research, it exerts multiple side effects. Thus, we further demonstrated the role of AMPK was further demonstrated through the molecular approaches. Overexpression of c-Myc-tagged AMPKα1 wild-type (WT) potentiated JMS-induced AMPK activation, whereas the AMPKα1 dominant-negative (DN) form, in which the Thr172 residue was mutated to alanine, significantly blocked JMS-induced AMPK activation ( Figure 2F). In accordance with the results obtained following the application of compound C, AMPKα1WT, but not AMPKα1DN, potentiated the inhibitory effects of JMS on melanin contents, melanin secretion ( Figure 2G), tyrosinase activity ( Figure 2H), and the expression of melanogenesis-related genes ( Figure 2I). Collectively, our results suggest that AMPK mediates the inhibitory effects of JMS on melanogenesis.
culture media were collected and photographed. The melanin contents in cell pellets were further quantified, and melanin secretion was analyzed by measuring absorbance of culture media, as explained in the Materials and Methods section. Tyrosinase activity (D) and the protein (E) and mRNA (F) levels of melanogenesis-related genes were examined under identical conditions. As a positive control, arbutin was used. MITF: microphthalmia-associated transcription factor; MC1R: melanocortin 1 receptor; TRP: (tyrosinase-related protein). * p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01

JMS Inhibits Melanogenesis via Activation of AMPK
Recent studies showed that AMPK mediates some of the beneficial effects of deep-sea water on several aspects of metabolism. However, little is known about the effects of JMS on AMPK or the potential role of AMPK in melanogenesis. Our results demonstrated that JMS activated AMPK in a dose-dependent manner, whereas α-MSH has no effect on AMPK, as judged by the phosphorylation level of Thr172 in AMPKα subunit and Ser79 of acetyl-CoA carboxylase, the substrate of AMPK (Figure 2A). To examine the possible role of AMPK in our system, we treated cells with the AMPK inhibitor, compound C, which effectively blocked JMS-induced AMPK activation ( Figure 2B). The inhibitory effects of JMS on melanin contents, melanin secretion ( Figure 2C), tyrosinase activity ( Figure 2D), and the expression of melanogenesis-related genes ( Figure 2E), were significantly attenuated in the presence of compound C. Although compound C has been extensively used in AMPK research, it exerts multiple side effects. Thus, we further demonstrated the role of AMPK was further demonstrated through the molecular approaches. Overexpression of c-Myc-tagged AMPKα1 wild-type (WT) potentiated JMS-induced AMPK activation, whereas the AMPKα1 dominantnegative (DN) form, in which the Thr172 residue was mutated to alanine, significantly blocked JMSinduced AMPK activation ( Figure 2F). In accordance with the results obtained following the application of compound C, AMPKα1WT, but not AMPKα1DN, potentiated the inhibitory effects of JMS on melanin contents, melanin secretion ( Figure 2G), tyrosinase activity ( Figure 2H), and the expression of melanogenesis-related genes ( Figure 2I). Collectively, our results suggest that AMPK mediates the inhibitory effects of JMS on melanogenesis.   Little work has been done investigating the possible role of AMPK in the regulation of melanogenesis. Although it is well known that AMPK mediates the anti-diabetic effects of metformin [33], a recent report demonstrated that metformin exerts anti-melanogenic effects independent of AMPK pathway [34]. In contrast, Kazinol U, a prenylated flavan extracted from dried root bark of Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb, was reported to inhibit melanogenesis via AMPK activation [35]. Thus, to unequivocally demonstrate the role of AMK in the regulation of melanogenesis, we investigated whether AMPK activation alone is sufficient to inhibit melanogenesis. Treatment of B16F10 melanoma cells with the cell-permeable AMPK activator, aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR), resulted in the dose-dependent activation of AMPK ( Figure 3A) and concomitant suppression of the α-MSH-induced increases in the melanin contents, melanin secretion ( Figure 3B), tyrosinase activity ( Figure 3C), and expression of melanogenesis-related genes ( Figure 3D). The effects of AICAR were significantly reduced in the presence of compound C. Since compound C has been shown to inhibit AICAR cellular uptake [36], we further examined the effects of a more selective agonist for AMPK, A-769662 [37], and the results showed that AMPK activation by A-769662 also resulted in suppression of melanogenesis ( Figure 3E-H). These results suggest that AMPK activation is not only necessary to mediate the inhibitory effect of JMS, but also sufficient to inhibit melanogenesis. Little work has been done investigating the possible role of AMPK in the regulation of melanogenesis. Although it is well known that AMPK mediates the anti-diabetic effects of metformin [33], a recent report demonstrated that metformin exerts anti-melanogenic effects independent of AMPK pathway [34]. In contrast, Kazinol U, a prenylated flavan extracted from dried root bark of Broussonetia kazinoki Sieb, was reported to inhibit melanogenesis via AMPK activation [35]. Thus, to unequivocally demonstrate the role of AMK in the regulation of melanogenesis, we investigated whether AMPK activation alone is sufficient to inhibit melanogenesis. Treatment of B16F10 melanoma cells with the cell-permeable AMPK activator, aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide riboside (AICAR), resulted in the dose-dependent activation of AMPK ( Figure 3A) and concomitant suppression of the α-MSH-induced increases in the melanin contents, melanin secretion ( Figure 3B), tyrosinase activity ( Figure 3C), and expression of melanogenesis-related genes ( Figure 3D). The effects of AICAR were significantly reduced in the presence of compound C. Since compound C has been shown to inhibit AICAR cellular uptake [36], we further examined the effects of a more selective agonist for AMPK, A-769662 [37], and the results showed that AMPK activation by A-769662 also resulted in suppression of melanogenesis ( Figure 3E-H). These results suggest that AMPK activation is not only necessary to mediate the inhibitory effect of JMS, but also sufficient to inhibit melanogenesis.

JMS Activates AMPK in a CaMKKβ-Dependent Manner
To further understand the mechanism by which JMS activates AMPK, we examined the potential involvement of upstream kinases of AMPK. In addition to allosteric regulation, AMPK is phosphorylated at Thr172 in the α subunit and activated by LKB1 and Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-beta (CaMKKβ). Numerous studies reported that LKB1 is involved in activating AMPK under conditions characterized by changes in ATP and AMP, whereas CaMKKβ activates AMPK in a calcium-dependent manner [32]. Here, we first examined the phosphorylation level of Ser428 of LKB1 because this modification is known to be critical for AMPK activation in response to metformin treatment. Metformin did, indeed, increase the phosphorylation level of Ser428 of LKB1 in B16F10 cells under our treatment conditions; however, JMS treatment did not have any such effect ( Figure 4A). In contrast, the ability of JMS to activate AMPK was significantly abrogated in the presence of the CaMKKβ inhibitor, STO-609, or a membrane permeable Ca 2+ chelator, BAPTA-AM (1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid) ( Figure 4B). The inhibitory effects of JMS on the melanin contents, melanin secretion ( Figure 4C), tyrosinase activity ( Figure 4D), and expression of melanogenesis-related genes ( Figure 4E) were also significantly attenuated in the presence of STO-609 or BAPTA-AM. These data suggest that JMS suppresses α-MSH-induced melanogenesis via activation of the CaMKKβ-AMPK pathway.

JMS Activates AMPK in a CaMKKβ-Dependent Manner
To further understand the mechanism by which JMS activates AMPK, we examined the potential involvement of upstream kinases of AMPK. In addition to allosteric regulation, AMPK is phosphorylated at Thr172 in the α subunit and activated by LKB1 and Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase-beta (CaMKKβ). Numerous studies reported that LKB1 is involved in activating AMPK under conditions characterized by changes in ATP and AMP, whereas CaMKKβ activates AMPK in a calcium-dependent manner [32]. Here, we first examined the phosphorylation level of Ser428 of LKB1 because this modification is known to be critical for AMPK activation in response to metformin treatment. Metformin did, indeed, increase the phosphorylation level of Ser428 of LKB1 in B16F10 cells under our treatment conditions; however, JMS treatment did not have any such effect ( Figure 4A). In contrast, the ability of JMS to activate AMPK was significantly abrogated in the presence of the CaMKKβ inhibitor, STO-609, or a membrane permeable Ca 2+ chelator, BAPTA-AM (1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N ,N -tetraacetic acid) ( Figure 4B). The inhibitory effects of JMS on the melanin contents, melanin secretion ( Figure 4C), tyrosinase activity ( Figure 4D), and expression of melanogenesis-related genes ( Figure 4E) were also significantly attenuated in the presence of STO-609 or BAPTA-AM. These data suggest that JMS suppresses α-MSH-induced melanogenesis via activation of the CaMKKβ-AMPK pathway.

JMS Inhibits Melanogenesis by Suppressing α-MSH-Induced PKA and MAPK Signaling
Many studies have suggested that PKA signaling is a major pathway leading to melanogenesis under α-MSH treatment. In addition, MAPK pathways have been implicated in α-MSH-induced melanogenesis. We observed that α-MSH activated the PKA and MAPK pathways in B16F10 cells, as judged by monitoring the phosphoactivated forms of CREB, ERK, JNK, and p38MAPK ( Figure 5A). The application of H-89 (inhibitor of PKA), SP600125 (inhibitor of JNK), SB203582 (inhibitor of p38 MAPK), or PD98059 (inhibitor of ERK) significantly inhibited the ability of α-MSH to induce melanin contents, melanin secretion ( Figure 5B), and the expression of melanogenesis-related genes ( Figure  5C). JMS treatment inhibited the activation of these pathways in a concentration-dependent manner ( Figure 5A). Together, these data suggest that JMS treatment inhibits the ability of α-MSH to activate the MAPK and PKA pathways, which are critical for melanogenesis.

JMS Inhibits Melanogenesis by Suppressing α-MSH-Induced PKA and MAPK Signaling
Many studies have suggested that PKA signaling is a major pathway leading to melanogenesis under α-MSH treatment. In addition, MAPK pathways have been implicated in α-MSH-induced melanogenesis. We observed that α-MSH activated the PKA and MAPK pathways in B16F10 cells, as judged by monitoring the phosphoactivated forms of CREB, ERK, JNK, and p38MAPK ( Figure 5A). The application of H-89 (inhibitor of PKA), SP600125 (inhibitor of JNK), SB203582 (inhibitor of p38 MAPK), or PD98059 (inhibitor of ERK) significantly inhibited the ability of α-MSH to induce melanin contents, melanin secretion ( Figure 5B), and the expression of melanogenesis-related genes ( Figure 5C). JMS treatment inhibited the activation of these pathways in a concentration-dependent manner ( Figure 5A). Together, these data suggest that JMS treatment inhibits the ability of α-MSH to activate the MAPK and PKA pathways, which are critical for melanogenesis.

JMS Treatment-Activated AMPK Inhibits α-MSH-Induced PKA and MAPK Signaling
We next investigated whether AMPK, which was highly activated by JMS treatment, interfered with downstream signal pathways of α-MSH. Indeed, we found that JMS treatment inhibited α-MSHinduced MAPK and PKA signaling, but these effects of JMS were significantly attenuated when AMPK was inhibited by the application of compound C ( Figure 6A) or the expression of AMPKα1DN ( Figure 6B). Collectively, our results suggest that JMS suppresses α-MSH-induced melanogenesis by activating AMPK, which interferes with the PKA and MAPK pathways.

JMS Treatment-Activated AMPK Inhibits α-MSH-Induced PKA and MAPK Signaling
We next investigated whether AMPK, which was highly activated by JMS treatment, interfered with downstream signal pathways of α-MSH. Indeed, we found that JMS treatment inhibited α-MSH-induced MAPK and PKA signaling, but these effects of JMS were significantly attenuated when AMPK was inhibited by the application of compound C ( Figure 6A) or the expression of AMPKα1DN ( Figure 6B). Collectively, our results suggest that JMS suppresses α-MSH-induced melanogenesis by activating AMPK, which interferes with the PKA and MAPK pathways.

Discussion
The human body requires minerals to maintain various essential physiological processes, and mineral deficiencies are tightly linked to numerous chronic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, hypertension, stroke, cancer, and cardiovascular disease [38][39][40][41][42]. Minerals such as calcium, zinc, copper, and magnesium also promote skin tissue growth and would healing [43][44][45][46]. However, we know little about how minerals affect melanogenesis. Recently, deep-sea water has been considered as a safe source of various minerals and has been reported to exert beneficial effects for the treatment of chronic diseases [20][21][22]. Deep-sea water, which refers to seawater pumped at a depth over 500 m, is typically cold, very pure, and rich in various minerals [22]. The mineral contents of desalinated underground water collected from Jeju Island of Korea ("JMS") are similar to those of deep-sea water, and JMS has been reported to offer many of same beneficial effects against chronic diseases, including anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, and anti-steatotic effects [24][25][26]. The dietary intake of

Discussion
The human body requires minerals to maintain various essential physiological processes, and mineral deficiencies are tightly linked to numerous chronic disorders, such as type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer's disease, hypertension, stroke, cancer, and cardiovascular disease [38][39][40][41][42]. Minerals such as calcium, zinc, copper, and magnesium also promote skin tissue growth and would healing [43][44][45][46]. However, we know little about how minerals affect melanogenesis. Recently, deep-sea water has been considered as a safe source of various minerals and has been reported to exert beneficial effects for the treatment of chronic diseases [20][21][22]. Deep-sea water, which refers to seawater pumped at a depth over 500 m, is typically cold, very pure, and rich in various minerals [22]. The mineral contents of desalinated underground water collected from Jeju Island of Korea ("JMS") are similar to those of deep-sea water, and JMS has been reported to offer many of same beneficial effects against chronic diseases, including anti-obesity, anti-diabetes, and anti-steatotic effects [24][25][26]. The dietary intake of JMS was also reported to confer anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects [26]. However, we know little about the potential effects of JMS on melanogenesis. In the present study, we report the potential of JMS as an anti-melanogenesis reagent and reveal the novel underlying mechanisms.
Our results suggest that α-MSH induces melanogenesis through the PKA and MAPK pathways, and that JMS inhibits melanogenesis via activation of CaMKKβ-AMPK pathways. These results are summarized in the diagram presented in Figure 6C. JMS contains various minerals that may contribute to activating AMPK, such as calcium. Our results showed that CaMKKβ, which calcium-dependently activates AMPK, appears to be the primary kinase that acts on AMPK in response to JMS treatment (Figure 4). Neurons and melanocytes stem from the neural crest, and CaMKKβ is a significant activator for AMPK in neurons [47]. Therefore, CaMKKβ seems to be a significant activator of AMPK in melanocytic cells. Our data indicate that the PKA and MAPK pathways play critical roles in α-MSH-induced melanogenesis (Figure 5), and that AMPK inhibits these pathways under JMS treatment ( Figure 6). However, the direct targets of AMPK in these two pathways are essentially unknown. The interplay between the AMPK and PKA pathways seems to be highly complex and dependent on the context and experimental setting [48]. A recent study suggested that AMPK activation can inhibit PKA signaling by lowering the intracellular cAMP level. Treatment of hepatocytes with a small-molecule AMPK activator resulted in decrease in glucagon-stimulated cAMP accumulation, PKA activity, and downstream signaling, and AMPK was further revealed to directly activate cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 4B (PDE4B), which converts cAMP to AMP [49]. In addition, AMP may play a dual role in the AMPK-mediated inhibition of the PKA pathway: it is critical for the allosteric activation of AMPK and also inhibits adenylate cyclase to block cAMP accumulation [50]. Although future work is needed for experimental validation, we speculate that, under JMS treatment, AMPK may inhibit the PKA pathway through a combination of the above-described pathways. Several reports found that AMPK inhibits hormone-induced ERK activation to suppress cell proliferations [51,52]. These results were interpreted as indicating that AMPK activation inhibits cell proliferation in response to a low cellular energy status, and thereby helps to conserve energy. In addition, a recent study showed that a selective MC4R (melanocortin 4 receptor) agonist suppressed neuroinflammation via the AMPK-dependent inhibition of the JNK and p38 signaling pathways [53]. However, the literature currently lacks a consensus regarding the interplay between AMPK and MAPKs; this is in large part because the activation of MAPKs results in a broad spectrum of physiological outcomes. In the present study, we add to this body of evidence by demonstrating that AMPK inhibits α-MSH-induced ERK, JNK, and p38MAPK signaling under JMS treatment. These results suggest that AMPK may regulate some point(s) common to these three MAPKs.
There is a huge demand for melanogenesis inhibitors in the cosmetic industry and medicine. It is reported that approximately 15% of the world's population invests in skin-whitening cosmetics, and global industry analysis forecasts predict that the global market for skin-whitening agents will reach $23 billion by 2020 [54]. Since tyrosinase catalyzes the rate-limiting step in melanogenesis, most of the pertinent research has focused on developing specific inhibitors against tyrosinase [55,56]. Indeed, most commercially available skin-lightening agents (e.g., arbutin, hydroquinone, kojic acid, and tranexamic acid) are tyrosinase inhibitors. However, these inhibitors suffer from certain drawbacks. Here, we demonstrate that JMS is highly safe and effective in inhibiting melanogenesis. We believe that JMS, which offers various pharmacological effects while being safe and inexpensive, may prove useful for a variety of purposes, such as in dietary supplements, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics.

Preparing Cell Culture with JMS
JMS was provided by Chunjieh Cooperation (Jeju City, Korea). It was pumped up from a depth of 130 m below sea level in the Han-Dong area of Jeju Island, Korea, and was desalinated by electrodialysis with 12 mS/cm conductivity. The composition and content of minerals in electrodialysis-desalinated JMS were previously reported [26]. Briefly Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM) powder was directly dissolved in 100% (v/v) desalinated JMS, and the pH was adjusted to 7.2 with bicarbonate. After filter sterilization, fetal bovine serum and antibiotics were added to 10% and 1%, respectively. The medium was further mixed with distilled water-based DMEM to obtain the desired percentage (v/v). The mouse B16F10 melanoma cell line was purchased from the American Type Culture Collection (Cat# CRL-6475) and maintained in DMEM with the indicated percentage of JMS at 37 • C in 95% air with 5% CO 2 .

Stable cell Transfection
B16F10 melanoma cells were seeded on a six-well plate (Corning, NY, USA). When the cell density reached 50-60%, cells were transfected with the wild-type (WT) or dominant negative (DN, T172A) forms of c-Myc-tagged AMPKα1 expression vector for 24 h using Lipofectamine 3000 (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA). Empty vector was used as a negative control. The cells were cultured for 7 days in the presence of G418 (1 mg/ mL), and the selected cells were used for the experiment.

Measurement of Melanin Contents and Secretion
Treated B16F10 melanoma cells were harvested and cell pellets were obtained and photographed. The pellets were dissolved in 1N NaOH containing 10% DMSO at 80 • C for 1 h, and the concentration of solubilized melanin was determined by measuring the absorbance at 405 nm using a microplate reader. To measure the degree of melanin secretion, culture media were collected after treatment, and absorbance was measured at 475 nm using a microplate reader. The melanin content and degree of melanin secretion were normalized to the cell number.

Intracellular Tyrosinase Activity
Treated B16F10 melanoma cells were lysed with the phosphate buffer saline (PBS) with 1% Triton X-100. Cell extracts were incubated with L-DOPA (2 mM) for 1 h at 37 • C, and the formation of dopachrome was determined by measuring the absorbance at 475 nm.

Westernblot Analysis
Total proteins from B16F10 melanoma cells were extracted in RIPA (radioimmunoprecipitation assay) lysis buffer (50 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 1 mM EDTA, 150 mM NaCl, 1% Triton X-100, 0.1% SDS, 0.5% sodium deoxycholate, 2 mM sodium orthovanadate, 5 mM sodium fluoride, 1 mM PMSF (phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride), and a protein inhibitor cocktail). The protein concentration of the lysate was determined using the Bradford assay (Bio-Rad, Hercules, CA, USA). After separation of cellular proteins by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), proteins were transferred onto nitrocellulose membranes. The membranes were blocked with a blocking solution containing Tris-buffered saline with Tween 20 (0.1% Tween20, 10 mM Tris-HCl pH 7.4, 150 mM NaCl) and 3% bovine serum albumin (BSA), and incubated for 12 h at 4 • C with the appropriate primary antibody solution. After washing three times, the membranes were then incubated with the corresponding secondary antibody for 2 h at room temperature. The enhanced chemiluminescence (ECL) reagents were then applied.

Statistical Analysis
The experimental results are expressed as the mean ± standard error of the mean (SEM) obtained from at least three independent experiments. The statistical significance of the data was analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) using the R program suite (version 3.2.4; http://www.r-project. org). A p-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant (* p < 0.05; ** p < 0.01).

Conflicts of Interest:
The authors declare no conflict of interest.