目的:研究染料木素对A375细胞黑素合成的影响,并探讨MAPK信号通路与此作用的相关性。方法:以人黑素瘤细胞A375为研究对象,将不同浓度的染料木素作用于A375细胞48 h,另设空白组,采用MTT法检测细胞活性;Na OH裂解法检测黑素量;多巴氧化法检测酪氨酸酶(TYR)活性;RT-PCR法测定酪氨酸酶(TYR),酪氨酸酶相关蛋白-1(TRP-1)和酪氨酸酶相关蛋白-2(TRP-2)以及MAPK信号通路关键胞外信号调节激酶1(ERK1),ERK2,c-Jun氨基末端激酶2(JNK2)mRNA的表达。结果:与空白组比较,染料木素在安全剂量(10-1,10-2,10-3μmol·L-1)下均可明显抑制A375细胞黑素合成及TYR活性(P<0.01),1μmol·L-1染料木素明显下调A375细胞TYR,TRP-2,TRP-1(P<0.05,P<0.01)mRNA表达,以及ERK1,ERK2,JNK2(P<0.05,P<0.01)mRNA表达。结论:染料木素可通过抑制TYR活性和/或下调TYR,TRP-1及TRP-2 mRNA表达,抑制A375细胞的黑素合成,此作用与抑制ERK1,ERK2,JNK2的表达有关。 Objective: To study the effect of genistein on melanin synthesis in A375 cells and to explore the correlation between MAPK signal pathway and this effect. Methods: The human melanoma A375 cells were treated with different concentrations of genistein for 48 h, and blank control group was established. Cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Melanin was detected by Na OH cleavage assay. The tyrosinase (TYR) activity was detected by oxidation assay. The tyrosinase (TYR), tyrosinase related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase-related protein- 2) and the expression of ERK1, ERK2 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase 2 (JNK2) mRNA in MAPK signaling pathway. Results: Compared with the blank group, genistein significantly inhibited melanin synthesis and TYR activity (P <0.01) and 1 μmol in A375 cells at safe doses (10-1, 10-2 and 10-3μmol·L-1) L-1 genistein significantly decreased mRNA expression of TYR, TRP-2 and TRP-1 (P <0.05, P <0.01), and ERK1, ERK2 and JNK2 mRNA expressions in A375 cells (P <0.05, P <0.01). Conclusion: Genistein can inhibit melanogenesis in A375 cells by inhibiting TYR activity and / or down-regulating the expression of TYR, TRP-1 and TRP-2 mRNA, which may be related to the inhibition of ERK1, ERK2 and JNK2 expression.