title: In vivo evaluation of type 2 transglutaminase contribution to the metastasis formation in melanoma.
abstract: One of the most relevant problems in tumour treatment resides on the ability of the tumour to form metastasis and disseminate among the organism. The formation of metastases is a complex process, which requires the action of various effectors, not yet completely identified. The analysis of various types of tumours revealed a complex picture about the relationship between type 2 transglutaminase (TG2) expression and outcome and/or metastatic potential of the tumour itself. In some tumours, the transition to a highly invasive state is paralleled by an up-regulation of TG2 expression and/or activity while in some other a down-regulation has been reported. In addition, host tissues seem to react to tumour invasion by up-regulating TG2 expression. In order to analyse whether TG2 might be involved in the metastatic process in melanoma, we studied the metastases formation and development by means of the B16-F10 murine melanoma cell line and with TG2(-/-) mice as experimental model. Our results indicate that TG2 absence in the host is a favouring condition for the formation and development of the metastasis, while the presence of TG2 in the tumour's cell might be requested for the development of the metastasis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica, 00133, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Di Giacomo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Lentini
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Beninati
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Piacentini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Rodolfo
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000201:enzymology / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D011503:Transglutaminases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000172:deficiency / Q000378:metabolism*; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D000091345:Protein Glutamine gamma Glutamyltransferase 2; D011503:Transglutaminases; D019204:GTP-Binding Proteins