[A newly established melanoma cell line (GAK) with 5-S-cysteinyldopa phenotype]

The production of 5-S-cysteinyldopa by a newly established melanoma cell line GAK is reported. The cell line was derived from a metastatic inguinal lymph node of vulvar malignant melanoma. The cell line grew well without interruption for over 4 years, GAK cells were proved to have melanin granules and tyrosinase activity in their cytoplasma by Masson's staining and dopa reaction, respectively. Melanin granules were ultrastructually identified as melanosomes in various maturing stages. The chromosomal number varied widely and showed aneuploidly, but the modal chromosomal number was stable in the hypotriploid range. GAK cells were transplanted to nude mice and produced tumors resembling the original. Because glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase of GAK revealed a type B (slow) mobility pattern on electrophoresis, the possibility of Hela cell contamination could be completely excluded. High performance liquid chromatography revealed "5-S-cysteinyldopa", a new tumor marker of malignant melanoma, in culture media of GAK cells. The cell line described may serve as a representative model system for basic and clinical studies on malignant melanoma.