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Microarray analysis of phosphatase gene expression in human melanoma
L McArdle1, M M Rafferty, K Satyamoorthy
1The Wistar Institute, 3601 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
The British Journal of Dermatology
|May 13, 2005
Summary
Decreased expression of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) and dual-specificity phosphatases (DSPs) is observed in melanoma. This downregulation may contribute to the autonomous growth characteristic of advanced melanoma.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Gene Expression Analysis
Background:
- Elevated tyrosine phosphate in malignant melanoma is linked to oncogenic protein tyrosine kinases.
- Alternatively, increased tyrosine phosphate may result from reduced protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate phosphatase gene expression in melanoma cell lines, benign nevi, and normal melanocytes.
- To identify downregulated phosphatase genes in malignant cells, suggesting a role as melanoma suppressor genes.
Main Methods:
- Microarray analysis of 133 phosphatase genes (39 PTPs, 16 DSPs, 47 serine/threonine, 31 acid/alkaline/lipid-based).
- Northern blotting to analyze gene expression in human melanoma biopsies.
Main Results:
- Downregulation of four DSP genes, including PTEN, was observed in melanoma.
- Eight receptor PTP genes, including PTP-KAPPA and PTP-PI, were downregulated.
- PTP-RF/LAR was downregulated in 13 of 22 metastatic melanoma samples.
Conclusions:
- Multiple PTP receptor expressions are decreased in melanoma.
- This downregulation may drive autonomous growth in advanced melanoma.