Loss of c-kit expression in cultured melanoma cells
Lassam, N.; Bickford, S.
Oncogene 7(1): 51-56
1992
ISSN/ISBN: 0950-9232 PMID: 1371338 Document Number: 395290
The proto-oncogene c-kit encodes a receptor tyrosine kinase which has been shown to play a key role in melanocyte development. In this report we asked whether the c-kit gene product is also involved in promoting the growth of transformed melanocytes. We found that, while c-Kit protein was readily observed in normal human neonatal and adult melanocytes, the majority of cell lines established from human melanoma samples did not express detectable levels of c-kit mRNA or protein. A similar pattern of differential expression was also observed in normal and transformed murine melanocytes. Our findings raise the possibility that a marked reduction in c-kit gene expression either promotes or is a consequence of transformation in melanocytes.