Quercetin selectively inhibits bioreduction and enhances apoptosis in melanoma cells that overexpress tyrosinase

Tyrosinase is expressed in melanoma cells and catalyzes the formation of 3,3',4',5,7-pentahydroxyflavone (quercetin) into reactive quinone species and subsequent glutathionyl adducts. Therefore, we examined the effect of quercetin metabolism on the glutathione (GSH) bioreduction pathway and cell viability in DB-1 melanoma cells that express varying levels of tyrosinase (Tyr(+)). In a cell-free system, GSH was significantly decreased by quercetin, which coincided with the formation of glutathionyl adducts. In Tyr+ clones, quercetin decreased bioreduction capacity and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) to a greater degree compared to control cells. The antioxidant/electrophile response element-induced enzymes, glutathione-S-transferase (GST), and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate:quinone oxidoreductase I were expressed at high levels in Tyr+ cells and contributed to pro-oxidant quercetin metabolism. The basal level of ROS and apoptosis was higher in Tyr+ cells and were selectively increased after exposure to quercetin. The increase in apoptosis following quercetin exposure was p53/Bax mediated and correlated with a decrease in GST-driven bioreduction capacity and an increase in ROS. In conclusion, quercetin can selectively sensitize Tyr+ expressing melanoma cells to apoptosis and may serve as an adjuvant to chemotherapy by enhancing cell death and interfering with GST-mediated drug resistance.