The skin, which is comprised of the epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous tissue, is the
largest organ in the human body and it plays a crucial role in the regulation of the body's …

Endogenous photosensitizers play a critical role in both beneficial and harmful light-induced
transformations in biological systems. Understanding their mode of action is essential for …

Ultraviolet radiation (UVR) is primarily recognized for its detrimental effects such as
cancerogenesis, skin aging, eye damage, and autoimmune disorders. With exception of …

The steroid hormones progestagens, estrogens, androgens, and glucocorticoids as well as
their precursor cholesterol are required for successful establishment and maintenance of …

Vitamin D, referring to the two forms, D2 from the diet and D3 primarily derived from
phototransformation in the skin, is a prohormone important in human health. The most …

Melatonin production is highly conserved in nature through different species including
bacteria, unicellular eukaryotes, algae, plants invertebrates, and vertebrates (Hardeland et …

We have previously described new pathways of vitamin D3 activation by CYP11A1 to
produce a variety of metabolites including 20 (OH) D3 and 20, 23 (OH) 2 D3. These can be …

The discovery of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) or CRH defining the upper regulatory
arm of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, along with the identification of the …

The skin has developed a hierarchy of systems that encompasses the skin immune and
local steroidogenic activities in order to protect the body against the external environment …

CYP11A1, found only in vertebrates, catalyzes the first step of steroidogenesis where
cholesterol is converted to pregnenolone. The purified enzyme, also converts desmosterol …