title: Immunohistochemical study of S-100 protein and neuron specific enolase (NSE) in melanocytes and the related tumors.
abstract: Normal human skin, malignant melanoma, nevocellular nevus, blue nevus, nevus of Ota and mongolian spot were immunohistochemically investigated on the localization of S-100 protein and neuron specific enolase (NSE). Tissues were fixed with buffered-formalin, processed with routine procedure and examined by the ABC technique. All cases of malignant melanoma and nevocellular nevus showed a relatively high amount of S-100 protein, but NSE was scantly demonstrated on about the half cases of these tumors. Blue nevus, nevus of Ota and mongolian spot revealed the presence of a small amount of S-100 protein and NSE on the half cases. Normal melanocytes were devoid of S-100 protein and NSE. Our results suggest that S-100 protein is the useful marker for diagnosis of malignant melanoma, and immunoreactive intensity for S-100 protein represents the differentiation of neural crest derived melanogenic cells and tumors.
mesh_terms: D006651:Histocytochemistry; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000032:analysis / Q000201:enzymology*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000032:analysis* / Q000201:enzymology; D009506:Nevus / Q000032:analysis; D009507:Nevus of Ota / Q000032:analysis; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase / Q000032:analysis*; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D012867:Skin / Q000032:analysis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D009418:S100 Proteins; D010751:Phosphopyruvate Hydratase