title: Subcellular fractionation of cultured normal human melanocytes: new insights into the relationship of melanosomes with lysosomes and peroxisomes.
abstract: In order to obtain information on the disputed nature of melanosomes a comparison was made between the localization of melanosomal markers with those of other well-defined subcellular organelles such as lysosomes and peroxisomes. The distribution of marker enzymes was studied using two different density gradient systems, i.e., Percoll and Nycodenz. Furthermore, the subcellular localization of various types of antigens was analyzed using indirect immunofluorescence and immuno-electron microscopy. All methods revealed the existence of partial co-localization of melanosomal and lysosomal proteins and different localization of peroxisomal markers. The results suggest that melanosomes may share a common origin with lysosomal structures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University of Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: N P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Smit
authors.forename: C W
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: van Roermund
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Aerts
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Heikoop
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Van den Berg
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pavel
authors.forename: R J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Wanders
mesh_terms: D002458:Cell Fractionation; D002460:Cell Line; D005962:Glucosylceramidase / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000378:metabolism; D008247:Lysosomes; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000201:enzymology / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D008830:Microbodies; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase / Q000378:metabolism; D013347:Subcellular Fractions; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase; D014442:Monophenol Monooxygenase; D005962:Glucosylceramidase; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases