Solar light induces expression of acetylcholinesterase in skin keratinocytes: Signalling mediated by activator protein 1 transcription factor

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) hydrolyses acetylcholine to choline and acetate, playing an important role in terminating the neurotransmission in brain and muscle. Recently, the non-neuronal functions of AChE have been proposed in different tissues, in which there are various factors to regulate the expression of AChE. In mammalian skin, AChE was identified in melanocytes and keratinocytes. Our previous study has indicated that AChE in keratinocyte affects the process of solar light-induced skin pigmentation; however, the expression of AChE in keratinocytes in responding to sunlight remains unknown. Here, we provided several lines of evidence to support a notion that AChE could be upregulated at transcriptional and translational levels in keratinocytes when exposed to solar light. The light-mediated AChE expression was triggered by Ca2+, supported by an induction of Ca2+ ionophore A23187 and a blockage by Ca2+ chelator BAPTA-AM. In addition, this increase on AChE transcriptional expression was eliminated by mutagenesis on the activating protein 1 (AP1) site in ACHE gene. Hence, the solar light-induced AChE expression is mediated by Ca2+ signalling through AP1 site. This finding supports the role of solar light in affecting the cholinergic system in skin cells, and which may further influence the dermatological function. •Solar light promotes AChE expression in keratinocytes.•Solar light induces AChE expression via Ca2+-mediated signalling.•AP1 site in ACHE promoter responses to solar light-induced Ca2+ signalling.