Figure 6 shows that the expression
of E5 oncogene had no effect on tyrosinase mRNA levels both in M14 and FRM cells and confirmed that in these cell lines the amelanotic phenotype is associated with a fair transcription of tyrosinase mRNA [27]. Moreover, WB analysis showed that tyrosinase protein levels were not modulated in E5 expressing cells in comparison with controls. These results, while confirming the poor connection between pigmentation genes expression and the pigmentary status of melanomas, Selinexor indicate that the amelanotic phenotype of FRM and M14 cells is indeed related to post-translational regulatory process in melanocytes that express normal amounts of tyrosinase protein. Figure 6 Expression
of HPV-16 E5 oncogene does not affect tyrosinase mRNA transcription and protein expression levels. Tyrosinase mRNA levels were evaluated by RT-PCR in FRM and M14 melanoma control cells (CTR), in cells treated with 20 nM Con-A (+ ConA) and in cell expressing the HPV-16 E5 (+ E5). Panel a) – Total mRNA (1 μg) was reverse transcribed and amplified with HuTyr-1/HuTyr-2. Four independent experiments gave similar results. All the samples showed similar levels of tyrosinase mRNA. Western Dactolisib manufacturer blot analysis Anidulafungin (LY303366) (panel b) and densitometric quantisation (panel c) of the chemo-luminescent signals of tyrosinase protein levels. No protein modulation was observed under any experimental condition. Results represent the mean ± standard deviation (SD) of four independent experiments. (A.U. = Arbitrary Unit). The tyrosinase reactivation could be exploited as a target for the
development of selective chemotherapeutic agents Subsequently we wondered whether the above reported endosomal alkalinisation and the reactivation of tyrosinase was associated with modifications in cell phenotype eventually resulting in an altered susceptibility to chemotherapeutic agents. Based on the notion that 3,4-DHBA, a dopamine mimetic CHIR98014 pro-drug, is a substrate for tyrosinase with consequent production of toxic intermediates [40] we evaluated its cytotoxic effect in E5 expressing cells. Fig. 7 shows that a 30 μM concentration induced a much stronger impairment of cell viability on E5 expressing melanomas than on the control cells. The same figure shows also that BSO, a well-known inhibitor of glutathione synthesis whose cytotoxic effects are correlated with the level of tyrosinase activity [40], determined a drastic reduction of cell viability in E5 expressing cells, while control cells were scarcely affected.