Rapid Identification of Dysregulated Genes in Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma Metastases Using cDNA Technology

• Published in: Cells, tissues, organs Vol. 177; no. 3; pp. 119 - 123
• Main Authors: Mirmohammadsadegh, Alireza, Baer, Annett, Nambiar, Sandeep, Bardenheuer, Walter, Hengge, Ulrich R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel, Switzerland S. Karger AG 01.01.2004
• Subjects: bcl-2-Associated X Protein; bcl-Associated Death Protein; bcl-X Protein; Carrier Proteins - genetics; Down-Regulation; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; GRB10 Adaptor Protein; Humans; Melanocytes - metabolism; Melanoma - genetics; Melanoma - secondary; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Proteins - genetics; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - genetics; Skin Neoplasms - genetics; Up-Regulation; Signal transduction; Chip technology; Proliferation; Melanoma; Apoptosis
• ISBN: 3805578059; 9783805578059
• ISSN: 1422-6405; 1422-6421
• DOI: 10.1159/000079985

One important application of DNA microarray technology is the simultaneous analysis of gene expression of different mRNAs. Comparison of mRNA patterns of diseased and healthy tissue may help to understand the pathogenesis of a given disorder. In cancer tissue, identified dysregulated genes may serve as new molecular markers for diagnosis or prognosis or may ideally serve as new targets for therapy. Using membrane cDNA array technology, we analyzed gene expression in human melanomas, one of the most aggressive types of cancer with a high metastatic potential and with markedly increased incidence worldwide. To account for the heterogeneity of tumors, we compared total RNA from cutaneous melanoma metastases of 10 different patients with primary human melanocytes. An abundance of genes was dysregulated (up-/downregulated), which involved for example the apoptosis gene growth factor receptor-bound protein 10, Bcl2-associated X membrane protein, Bcl2 antagonist of cell death, glutathione S-transferase θ 1 and glutathione reductase. Ultimately, the identification of melanoma-associated genes may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for identifying and targeting malignant melanoma.