title: Detection of beta-human chorionic gonadotropin mRNA as a marker for cutaneous malignant melanoma.
abstract: The beta chain of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) hormone is produced by fetal cells, gonadal cell tumors and several types of non-gonadal carcinoma. hCG is composed of an alpha and a beta chain, the latter of which can be used to distinguish the molecule from other related gonadotropin hormones. Detection of beta-hCG mRNA transcripts can be potentially useful as a marker to identify tumor cells. We devised a highly specific and sensitive assay to detect the atavistic expression of beta-hCG in cutaneous melanoma by RT-PCR. Twenty-four melanoma cell lines and 43 melanoma biopsies were evaluated for beta-hCG mRNA expression. An RT-PCR assay was developed to specifically distinguish beta-hCG poly-A mRNA from other related gonadotropin beta chains. This was performed by endonuclease digestion of a unique Sty 1 site in the beta chain, followed by Southern blot analysis with a beta-hCG cDNA probe. Of the 24 melanoma cell lines analyzed, 18 expressed beta-hCG mRNA. Analysis of melanoma biopsy specimens revealed beta-hCG mRNA expression in 17/25 melanoma-positive TDLN, and in only 5/15 non-lymphoid melanoma metastases. Beta-hCG mRNA expression had a 53% correlation to tyrosinase mRNA, a predominant melanoma marker. Beta-hCG mRNA was not detected in normal donor PBL and normal lymph nodes. Detection of beta-hCG mRNA expression may be a useful molecular marker to define a subset of malignant melanoma.
authors.affiliation: John Wayne Institute for Cancer Treatment and Research, Santa Monica, California, USA.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Doi
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: B B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Charuworn
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Conrad
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Russell
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Morton
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Hoon
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000737:chemistry; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000737:chemistry*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis*; D011974:Receptors, LH / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018997:Chorionic Gonadotropin, beta Subunit, Human; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D011974:Receptors, LH