Multi-step genetic regulation of oncogene expression in fish hereditary melanoma

Melanoma occurring spontaneously in Xiphophorus fish hybrids is a model system in which involvement of cellular oncogenes and multi-step regulation of their expression have been identified by classical genetics. The macromelanophore gene in platyfish (Xiphophorus maculatus) is a sex-linked codominant gene which determines the black spot patterns of macromelanophores in the skin. The macromelanophore locus includes a cellular oncogene which potentially induces neoplasms of the pigment cells. Expression of the oncogene is regulated by a multi-step genetic process and brings about a characteristic phenotype associated with pigment cell differentiation at each step. The multi-step genetic regulation of oncogene expression can be recognized by interspecific hybridization of the platyfish with swordtails (Xiphophorus helleri) which have not developed the macromelanophore gene. When platyfish are hybridized with swordtails, the F1 offspring carrying this gene develop a preneoplastic state. When the F1 offspring are back-crossed to swordtails, the backcross offspring develop a heritable form of melanoma with a characteristic inheritance pattern. This heritable form of melanoma occurs at an early age and has a well differentiated character. Thus, the first and second steps of oncogene expression bring about a preneoplastic state in the F1 offspring and a heritable form of melanoma in the backcross offspring, respectively. These steps may be due to progressive substitution of platyfish chromosomes with swordtail chromosomes in germ line cells, resulting in a progressive reduction of the dosage of regulatory genes in the platyfish genome. The third step of oncogene expression brings about a sporadic form of melanoma in the hybrid offspring bearing the preneoplastic state and heritable form of melanoma spontaneously or through induction by carcinogens. This form of melanoma has a poorly differentiated character. The incidence of this form is considerably enhanced by aging in adult life, thus exhibiting age-specific incidence. It is likely that this step is due to mutational events in regulatory genes, which occur in somatic cells following chromosome substitution in germ line cells by hybridization. The albino gene enhances the malignancy of the two forms of melanoma and the incidence of the sporadic form of melanoma, possibly by suppressing the differentiation of transformed pigment cells. These facts and speculations are summarized in Fig. 6. The molecular identification of oncogenes in this melanoma system and their transfer into the swordtail eggs may provide a useful means for studying oncogene expression during development, growth, and aging of animals.