Characterization of phosphodiesterase 3 in human malignant melanoma cell line

Little is known concerning the expression, distribution and function of phosphodiesterase (PDE) 3s in malignant tumor cells, including human malignant melanoma HMG and osteosarcoma HOSM-1 cells. PDE3 activity was detected in homogenates of HMG cells; however, much less activity was found in HOSM-1 cells. In HMG cells, most of the PDE3 activity was in the particulate fraction. PDE3A and 3B mRNAs were detected by RT-PCR in RNA from HMG cells only. The nucleotide sequences of the fragments were identical to those of human PDE3A and 3B. The PDE3-specific inhibitors, trequinsin and cilostamide, did not inhibit the proliferation of HMG or HOSM-1 cells. Although two PDE3 isoforms may be expressed in human malignant melanoma cells, their functional importance is not known.