Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
Pivot Concepts:   Target Concepts:
Query: UMLS:C0025202 (melanoma)
69,561 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

Melanocytes synthesise two types of melanin: the brown-black eumelanin and the red-yellow phaeomelanin. In mice, the relative proportions of these two melanins are regulated by alpha-MSH, which preferentially increases the synthesis of eumelanin and by the Agouti protein (AP), the expression of which correlates with the growth of yellow phaeomelanin-containing hair. It has been proposed that AP acts by antagonizing the action of alpha-MSH at the MC1 receptor, although it has been suggested that it may also act independently of alpha-MSH. In the present study we show that AP inhibits melanogenesis in B16F1 melanoma cells in the presence and absence of alpha-MSH and also causes dose-related decreases in the synthesis of both eumelanin and phaeomelanin. In the presence of alpha-MSH AP had a greater effect on eumelanin production and this is consistent with an antagonistic action at the MC1 receptor. In the absence of alpha-MSH however, AP produced similar reductions in the synthesis of both melanins. These changes were not seen in B16G4F cells which lack the MC1 receptor, suggesting that even in the absence of alpha-MSH AP acts at the MC1 receptor. How this action is mediated at the intracellular level is not yet clear, although it appears to be associated with a decrease in tyrosinase activity.
...
PMID:Agouti protein inhibits the production of eumelanin and phaeomelanin in the presence and absence of alpha-melanocyte stimulating hormone. 935 25

Recent reports show that alpha-MSH (melanocyte-stimulating hormone) is mitogenic and melanogenic for normal human melanocytes, and that this effect is mediated through binding to the melanocortin receptor (MC1R) and activation of cAMP formation. alpha-MSH has also been shown to induce changes in cell shape in melanocytes and melanoma cells, particularly increased dendricity, suggesting a potential role for alpha-MSH in melanocyte-matrix interactions and pigment transfer through reorganization of the melanocyte actin filament cytoskeleton. In this report we show that the potent alpha-MSH analog (Nle4, D-Phe7)-alpha-MSH (NDP-MSH) induces reorganization of the actin stress fiber cytoskeleton in treated human melanocytes and that this reorganization is associated with increased adhesion to fibronectin (FN). Because most melanocyte growth factors act synergistically on melanocyte mitogenesis, we also sought to determine the effect of the melanocyte mitogen endothelin-1 (ET-1) on the melanocyte actin cytoskeleton, melanocyte adhesion, and melanocyte migration. We show that ET-1, which increases melanocyte migration on FN, has opposite effects on melanocyte adhesion to FN compared with NDP-MSH and that endothelin-1-induced actin reorganization is distinct from that observed following NDP-MSH treatment. Finally, we show that focal adhesion kinase (pp125FAK), a nonreceptor tyrosine kinase associated with focal contact formation and cell migration, is phosphorylated on tyrosine residues after treatment of melanocytes with ET-1, but not NDP-MSH. These data indicate that while alpha-MSH and ET-1 act synergistically to modulate melanocyte proliferation, they have opposite effects on melanocyte-matrix interactions.
...
PMID:Alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone and endothelin-1 have opposing effects on melanocyte adhesion, migration, and pp125FAK phosphorylation. 941 62

Alpha-MSH, a proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptide, is known to be produced in the pituitary, the skin, and melanoma tumors and to possess many biological effects, mainly on melanocyte pigmentation and growth. Moreover, the melanocyte expresses adhesion molecules, including ICAM-1. The latter has been reported to play a role in melanoma spread and associated metastatic process. We conducted a study in order to evaluate the possible effect of MSH on ICAM-1 expression in human cultured malignant and normal melanocytes. Our data show that alpha-MSH inhibits ICAM-1 expression stimulated by TNF in a concentration-dependent manner, both at the protein and gene expression level. Ninety percent inhibition was obtained with 10 nM MSH, while 50% inhibition was achieved with 1 nM. Endogenous cAMP elevation with forskolin as well as an exogenous cAMP stable analogue (Sp-cAMPS) produced the same inhibitory effect. A screening of malignant melanocytes showed that inhibition of ICAM-1 expression could be achieved only in those cells expressing detectable MSH receptors and seemed to correlate with the number of binding sites. In conclusion, our data strongly suggest alpha-MSH as a potent inhibitor of ICAM-1 expression in malignant melanocytes acting through MSH receptor stimulation and subsequent cAMP increase.
...
PMID:Modulation of ICAM-1 expression by alpha-MSH in human melanoma cells and melanocytes. 957 72

We determined the binding affinities of the MSH analogues MSH-B, HP-228 and 153N-6 and of the enkephalin analogue GHRP-6 on a single eukaryotic cell line transiently expressing the human MC1, MC3, MC4 and MC5 receptors. Moreover, we tested the binding and cAMP response of MSH-B in comparison with alpha-MSH on murine B16 melanoma cells. Our results indicate that MSH-B has a potency similar to that of alpha-MSH and that these two peptides induce similar cAMP responses in murine B16 melanoma cells. HP-228 has its highest affinity for the MC1 receptor. For the other receptors, it has slightly higher affinity for the MC5 receptor than for the MC3 and MC4 receptors. 153N-6 was found to be selective for the MC1 receptor. GHRP-6 was found to bind to the MC1 and the MC5 receptors despite its low structural homology with alpha-MSH. [D-Lys3]GHRP-6 bound to all the four MC receptors with similar affinities. The structurally related Met-enkephalin and the functionally related GHRH, as well as LHRH and somatostatin-14 did not bind to these MC receptors. The low affinity of the GH-releasing/enkephalin peptides may indicate that they do not interact with the MC receptors at pharmacologically relevant concentrations.
...
PMID:Characterization of the binding of MSH-B, HB-228, GHRP-6 and 153N-6 to the human melanocortin receptor subtypes. 957 23

We have previously reported high immunoreactive alpha-MSH (IR-alpha-MSH) concentrations in melanoma patients' plasma, as well as significant amounts in melanoma metastases and cells grown in culture. Necrosis within the melanoma tumour leads to a massive proteolysis of intracellular proteins and release of cell content: this might significantly contribute to the elevated IR-alpha-MSH plasma levels measured in melanoma patients. To test this hypothesis, we studied the necrosis-related release of MSH from human melanoma cells, using a specific radioimmunoassay. The studies of fine-needle biopsies indicated that most of the human melanoma tumour exudates tested contained very high MSH concentrations (> 500 pg/ml; 14/15), while plasma levels were generally normal (< or = 25 pg/ml; 10/15). The level in an exudate from a non-melanoma tumour type was < 40 pg/ml. In vitro studies showed that release of the IR-alpha-MSH was time- and temperature-dependent, and related to cell death.
...
PMID:alpha-Melanotropin immunoreactivity in human melanoma exudate is related to necrosis. 964 Feb 35

Several laboratories are pursuing the question of whether the expression of pigment genes can be used as a useful marker for tumour progression. However, many melanoma tumours are amelanotic in vivo. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the expression of tyrosinase-related genes [tyrosinase, tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) and tyrosinase-related protein-2 (TRP-2)] and pigmentation of melanoma cells. Fourteen cutaneous melanoma cell lines were examined for visible pigment, melanin content, and dopa oxidase activity and findings were related to the previously determined expression of the three tyrosinase-related genes in these cells in culture. Four of the cell lines were also stimulated with alpha-MSH, isobutylmethylxanthine, and forskolin to examine the relationship between induced pigmentation and upregulation of pigmentation genes. There was no simple correlation between pigmentation gene expression and dopa oxidase activity or total melanin content of the 14 melanoma cell lines in culture. In the majority of cells, there was no appreciable pigment, whereas, in contrast, half of the cells showed significant dopa oxidase activity. Upregulation of dopa oxidase activity was achieved by alpha-MSH in two out of four cell lines examined in detail and with IBMX in three out of four of these cell lines. IBMX increased tyrosinase gene expression in all four cell lines; alpha-MSH was without effect; and TRP-1 and TRP-2 expression were largely unaffected by IBMX or alpha-MSH. Modest changes in morphology were noted in response to IBMX. Overall, however, human melanoma cell lines were, with two exceptions, amelanotic in culture despite the fact that 10 out of the 14 lines expressed tyrosinase-related genes. We conclude that measurable pigmentation is not a necessary consequence of the expression of pigmentation genes. An implication of this work is that amelanotic tumours in vivo may nevertheless be positive for tyrosinase-related genes.
...
PMID:Human melanoma cell lines show little relationship between expression of pigmentation genes and pigmentary behaviour in vitro. 973 Mar 20

Melanocyte-stimulating hormone (MSH) has been reported to enhance the experimental metastatic behaviour of melanoma cells in the mouse model. alpha-MSH production and MSH receptor (melanocortin 1 receptor gene) expression have been detected in cultured normal human melanocytes and metastasized melanomas. The exact role of MSH in the metastatic behaviour of human melanoma cells is, however, not yet known. To clarify a possible role of proopiomelanocortin (POMC)-derived peptides, including alpha-MSH, in melanoma development and progression, we analysed immunohistochemically the localization of alpha-MSH adrenocorticotrophic hormone (ACTH) and beta-endorphin in various kinds of benign pigmented naevocytic lesions and malignant melanomas. Three of 21 samples of common and dysplastic naevi showed detectable alpha-MSH staining in naevus cells, and five and six of 15 samples were weakly positive for ACTH and beta-endorphin staining, respectively. In melanoma samples, 24 of 45, 23 of 39 and 30 of 42 samples showed positive staining with alpha-MSH, ACTH and beta-endorphin antibodies, respectively. Furthermore, staining for all three antibodies was noted to be more intense and diffuse in samples of nodular melanoma, vertically growing acral lentiginous melanoma and superficial spreading melanoma as well as metastatic lesions compared with those of naevi. Although it is yet to be determined whether or not this strong staining for POMC-derived peptides in advanced melanoma cells indicates a role of autocrine or paracrine regulation, our results suggest a possible involvement of POMC gene products in melanoma progression.
...
PMID:Immunoreactivity of alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone, adrenocorticotrophic hormone and beta-endorphin in cutaneous malignant melanoma and benign melanocytic naevi. 974 58

The effects of alpha-MSH and cAMP on melanosomes in Cloudman S91 melanoma cells were investigated by modern stereological techniques. Cells were cultured for 4 days in medium containing alpha-MSH or cAMP, harvested at 24 hour intervals; some were frozen for melanin assay and the reminder embedded in Epon for light and electron microscopy. Cellular and melanosomal parameters were estimated by new stereological probes. We found that both stimulators induced increases in nuclear volume, cell volume, and the volume fractions and volumes of premelanosomes (V(Vpm,cell), Vpm) and mature melanosomes (V(Vmm,cell), Vmm), and the number of mature melanosomes (Nmm). Both stimulators also caused declines in the volume of individual mature melanosomes (V(Vimm)), the melanin content per mature melanosome unit volume and the melanin content per individual mature melanosome. The increases in the volume of individual premelanosomes and the number of premelanosomes were only induced by cAMP. The effect cAMP on some parameters occurred 24 hours prior to alpha-MSH and was more marked. The response of premelanosomes to the stimulators was more sensitive than mature melanosomes. These results suggest that both stimulators enhanced melanogenesis by increasing the V(Vpm,cell), V(Vmm,cell), Vpm, Vmm and Nmm. The melanogenic level did not depend on the V(Vimm) and melanin concentration in melanosomes. The maturation of premelanosomes was involved in melanogenesis induced by both stimulators, but, de novo synthesis and enlargement of premelanosomes were only stimulated by cAMP. It imply that exogenous cAMP may affect melanosomes, and hence melanogenesis in quantitatively or qualitatively different ways to alpha-MSH.
...
PMID:Stereological studies of the effects of alpha-MSH and cAMP on melanosomes in melanoma cells. 987 May 45

The comparison of distinct cell-differentiation models can help to answer the question whether there are common signalling pathways activated in the cells during the differentiation process or not. The differentiation of PC12 pheochromocytoma cells in response to NGF, the differentiation of melanoma B16 cells triggered by alpha-MSH, the formation of myotubes by L6E9 skeletal muscle myoblasts deprived of FCS or differentiation of HL-60 cells in response to steroid hormone 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 share some similarities in the activation of signal transduction pathways. Differentiation-inducing agents stimulate sustained activation and nuclear translocation of MAP kinases (ERK1 and ERK2). Some of differentiation-inducing agents activate PI3-kinase as well, and the inhibition of the PI3K/p70S6K pathway blocks the process of differentiation in the cells.
...
PMID:[Does the universal "signal transduction pathway of differentiation" exist? Comparison of different cell differentiation experimental models with differentiation of HL-60 cells in response to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3]. 1035 95

A photoreactive analogue of human melanin-concentrating hormone was designed, [D-Bpa13,Tyr19-MCH, containing the D-enantiomer of photolabile p-benzoylphenylalanine (Bpa) in position 13 and tyrosine for radioiodination in position 19. The linear peptide was synthesized by the continuous-flow solid-phase methodology using Fmoc-strategy and PEG-PS resins, purified to homogeneity and cyclized by iodine oxidation. Radioiodination of [D-Bpa13,Tyr19]-MCH at its Tyr19 residue was carried out enzymatically using solid-phase bound glucose oxidase/lactoperoxidase, followed by purification on a reversed-phase mini-column and HPLC. Saturation binding analysis of [125I]-[D-Bpa13,Tyr19]-MCH with G4F-7 mouse melanoma cells gave a K(D) of 2.2+/-0.2 x 10(-10) mol/l and a B(max) of 1047+/-50 receptors/cell. Competition binding analysis showed that MCH and rANF(1-28) displace [125I]-[D-Bpa13,Tyr19]-MCH from the MCH binding sites on G4F-7 cells whereas alpha-MSH has no effect. Receptor crosslinking by UV-irradiation of G4F-7 cells in the presence of [125I]-[D-Bpa13,Tyr19]-MCH followed by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and autoradiography yielded a band of 45-50 kDa. Identical crosslinked bands were also detected in B16-F1 and G4F mouse melanoma cells, in RE and D10 human melanoma cells as well as in COS-7 cells. Weak staining was found in rat PC12 phaeochromocytoma and Chinese hamster ovary cells. No crosslinking was detected in human MP fibroblasts. These data demonstrate that [125I]-[D-Bpa13,Tyr19]-MCH is a versatile photocrosslinking analogue of MCH suitable to identify MCH receptors in different cells and tissues; the MCH receptor in these cells appears to have the size of a G protein-coupled receptor, most likely with a varying degree of glycosylation.
...
PMID:(D-(p-benzoylphenylalanine)13, tyrosine19)-melanin-concentrating hormone, a potent analogue for MCH receptor crosslinking. 1036 6


<< Previous 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10