Figure 2

Potential pathways of UVR-induced protein degradation. Following exposure to UVR radiation, ECM remodelling in human skin may occur as a result of: i) cell mediated mechanisms via the synthesis of ECM proteases such as MMPs or ii) acellular pathways. Whilst cellular mechanisms undoubtedly play a role in downstream ECM remodelling, we recently demonstrated that physiologically attainable doses of UVR are capable of differentially degrading key ECM components in a cell-free environment. It remains to be determined whether this protein degradation occurs as a consequence of direct photon absorption by amino acid residues or the indirect action of UVR-induced ROS.