Melanosomal sequestration of cytotoxic drugs contributes to the intractability of malignant melanomas.
Multidrug resistance mechanisms underlying the intractability of malignant melanomas remain largely unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that the development of multidrug resistance in melanomas involves subcellular sequestration of intracellular cytotoxic drugs such as cis-diaminedichloroplatinum II (cisplatin; CDDP). CDDP is initially sequestered in subcellular organelles such as melanosomes, which significantly reduces its nuclear localization when compared with nonmelanoma/KB-3-1 epidermoid carcinoma cells. The melanosomal accumulation of CDDP remarkably modulates melanogenesis through a pronounced increase in tyrosinase activity. The altered melanogenesis manifested an approximately 8-fold increase in both intracellular pigmentation and extracellular transport of melanosomes containing CDDP. Thus, our experiments provide evidence that melanosomes contribute to the refractory properties of melanoma cells by sequestering cytotoxic drugs and increasing melanosome-mediated drug export. Preventing melanosomal sequestration of cytotoxic drugs by inhibiting the functions of melanosomes may have great potential as an approach to improving the chemosensitivity of melanoma cells.
Chen
Kevin G
KG
Laboratories of Cell Biology and Experimental Carcinogenesis, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA.
Valencia
Julio C
JC
Lai
Barry
B
Zhang
Guofeng
G
Paterson
Jill K
JK
Rouzaud
François
F
Berens
Werner
W
Wincovitch
Stephen M
SM
Garfield
Susan H
SH
Leapman
Richard D
RD
Hearing
Vincent J
VJ
Gottesman
Michael M
MM
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D001692:Biological Transport; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D018432:Drug Resistance, Multiple; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D007211:Indoles / Q000378:metabolism; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D020460:Melanosomes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000201:enzymology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D007211:Indoles; C009904:melanogen; D002945:Cisplatin