Expression of the galactose binding protein Mac-2 by human melanoma cell-lines

The Mac-2 protein is a lectin specific for galactose-containing glycoconjugates. Present in some normal cells, it was also associated with the metastatic potential of some carcinoma cells. We studied Mac-2 expression in three human melanoma cell lines and in five variants and clones from one of them. By using the M3/38 rat monoclonal antibody, Mac-2 was demonstrated on cell surface by flow cytometry as well as in the cytoplasm and in the nucleus by confocal microscopy. The expression of Mac-2 was not correlated with that of terminal unsialylated Gal beta 1-3 GalNac structures on metastatic melanoma cell lines. However, the presence of extracellular Mac-2 containing vesicles was observed in cell lines with metastatic potency. Western blot analysis of cell lysates, in reducing or non-reducing conditions, revealed two bands of 34-36 and 93-98 kDa apparent M(r), also found in HL60 and P388.D1 cell lines used as positive controls.