| Summary: | In this study, we examined the effect of a hot-water extract of coccolithophore <i>Pleurochrysis carterae</i> on melanogenesis in B16F1 and B16F10 melanoma cells. <i>P. carterae</i> extract inhibited the α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH)-enhanced melanin synthesis in B16F1 melanoma cells. <i>P. carterae</i> also inhibited unstimulated melanin synthesis in B16F10 melanoma cells. Western blotting showed that the <i>P. carterae</i> extract inhibited tyrosinase and microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) in a dose-dependent manner. The reporter assay also revealed a decline in the tyrosinase promoter activity in the presence of <i>P. carterae</i> extract. Furthermore, quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis showed that <i>P. carterae</i> extract downregulated the mRNA levels of tyrosinase and MITF. Finally, our study demonstrated that the hot-water extract of <i>P. carterae</i> inhibits melanin synthesis via the down-regulation of MITF mRNA level. Our findings indicate that <i>P. carterae</i> extract could be a possible cosmetic ingredient.
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