title: Melanoma antigens as modified normal gene sequences.
abstract: Melanomas are highly aggressive tumors with a well-documented antigenic nature. Several melanoma antigens have been reported, four of which, p97, Ia-like antigen, B700, and A have been implicated as having regions in common with normally occurring proteins. P97 has partial sequence homology with transferrin and lactotransferrin, Ia-like antigen is immunologically cross-reactive with alpha and beta chains of Ia-like proteins, A is a variant of alpha actin, and B700 resembles a normal melanosomal membrane protein. In addition, B700 has partial sequence homology to serum albumins. These observations suggest that melanoma tumors can produce antigenic proteins by modification of normally occurring proteins. The possible mechanisms are discussed.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bitterman
authors.forename: V J
authors.initials: VJ
authors.lastname: Hearing
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Gersten
mesh_terms: D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000418:Albumins / Q000032:analysis; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D001483:Base Sequence; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000276:immunology*; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D000199:Actins; D000418:Albumins; D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins