title: hMAGE-A1 overexpression reduces TNF-alpha cytotoxicity in ME-180 cells.
abstract: Melanoma antigen (MAGE) belongs to a large family of tumor-associated antigens that are expressed in tumors, but not in normal adult tissues with the exception of a few normal cell types. However, its cellular function has not been characterized. In this study, we screened tumor cell lines for the hMAGE-A1, -A2, and -A3 gene expressions by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, then examined the sensitivity of the cell lines to TNF cytotoxicity. Cell lines, which express at least one of the three hMAGE-A genes, were more resistant to TNF cytotoxicity than cell lines that expressed none of the MAGE genes. By stably expressing hMAGE-A1 mRNA in the ME-180 line of human cervical carcinoma cells, it was possible to isolate clones in which the hMAGE-A1 is constitutively expressed. These clones displayed a diminished sensitivity to the cytotoxicity that was mediated by TNF, indicating that MAGE-A1 is a protective protein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Changwon National University, Korea. parkjh@sarim.changwon.ac.kr
authors.forename: Joo-Hung
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Gee-Hye
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Kong
authors.forename: Soo-Woong
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006367:HeLa Cells; D006801:Humans; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000378:metabolism / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity*
chemical_list: D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D058950:Melanoma-Specific Antigens; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha