title: Induction of nerve growth factor receptors on cultured human melanocytes.
abstract: Normal differentiation and malignant transformation of human melanocytes involve a complex series of interactions during which both genetic and environmental factors play roles. At present, the regulation of these processes is poorly understood. We have induced the expression of nerve growth factor (NGF) receptors on cultured human melanocytes with phorbol 12-tetradecanoate 13-acetate and have correlated this event with the appearance of a more differentiated, dendritic morphology. Criteria for NGF receptor expression included protein accumulation and cell-surface immunofluorescent staining with a monoclonal antibody directed against the human receptor and induction of the messenger RNA species as determined by blot-hybridization studies. The presence of the receptor could also be induced by UV irradiation or growth factor deprivation. The NGF receptor is inducible in cultured human melanocytes, and we suggest that NGF may modulate the behavior of this neural crest-derived cell in the skin.
authors.affiliation: U.S. Department of Agriculture Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging, Tufts University, Boston, MA 02111.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peacocke
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yaar
authors.forename: C P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Mansur
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Chao
authors.forename: B A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Gilchrest
mesh_terms: D002460:Cell Line; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique; D006801:Humans; D007118:Immunoassay; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009693:Nucleic Acid Hybridization; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000187:drug effects / Q000235:genetics; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D017475:Receptors, Nerve Growth Factor; D013755:Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate