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Tyrosinase gene expression in human tissues

Z Battyani1, L Xerri, J Hassoun

  • 1Service de Dermatologie Clinique, Hôpital Sainte Marguerite, Marseille, France.

Pigment Cell Research
|December 1, 1993
PubMed
Summary

Researchers detected tyrosinase gene expression in various human tissues, suggesting the presence of melanocytic cells beyond the skin. This finding supports theories on neural crest cell migration and potential melanoma origins in unexpected locations.

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Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Primary extra-cutaneous malignant melanomas (MM) suggest neural crest-derived melanocytes may transform in situ.
  • Nevus cell aggregates are rarely found in non-skin/eye organs, limiting understanding of melanoma origins.
  • Tyrosinase, a melanin enzyme, is a specific marker for melanocytic differentiation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To detect melanocytic lineage cells in human tissues using tyrosinase gene expression.
  • To investigate the presence of melanocytic precursors in normal and neoplastic tissues.

Main Methods:

  • Total RNA extraction from normal and neoplastic human tissues.
  • Sensitive reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) assay using tyrosinase-specific primers.

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  • Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from healthy subjects and metastatic MM patients as controls.

    • Main Results:

    • Tyrosinase transcripts detected in diverse normal organs: skin, lymph nodes, colon, kidney, lung, breast, etc.
    • Tyrosinase RNA found in benign nevi and various tumors: MM-involved lymph nodes, breast carcinoma, lymphoma, schwannoma.
    • PBMC from metastatic MM patients were positive; PBMC from other cancers were negative.

    Conclusions:

    • Cells expressing the tyrosinase gene are present in a wide array of human tissues.
    • These cells may represent differentiated melanocytes, precursors, or Schwann cells with melanocytic potential.
    • Findings support the hypothesis of extra-cutaneous melanoma origins from migrated or aberrant neural crest cells.