The protein expression of TRP-1 and galectin-1 in cutaneous malignant melanomas.
BACKGROUND
Patients with metastazing malignant melanoma have a poor outcome and determination of thickness of the primary tumor remains as the most important prognostic predictor. The aim of this study was to use an antibody-based proteomics strategy to search for new molecular markers associated with melanoma progression. Two proteins, TRP-1 and galectin-1, were identified as proteins with enhanced expression in cells from the melanocytic lineage.


METHODS
Protein profiling of TRP-1 and galectin-1 together with proliferation marker Ki-67 and melanocyte marker Melan-A was performed in normal tissues from 144 individuals and in 216 different tumors using tissue microarrays and immunohistochemistry. The protein expression pattern was further analyzed in a defined cohort of 157 patients diagnosed with invasive cutaneous malignant melanoma.


RESULTS
Both TRP-1 and galectin-1 were highly expressed in normal melanocytes and melanoma. The expression of TRP-1 was inversely correlated with tumor stage (p=0.002, (R=-0.28)). Neither TRP-1 or galectin-1 was associated with overall or disease free survival (p>0.14, p>0.46 respectively). Ki-67 was associated with tumor stage and survival (p<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
TRP-1 and galectin-1 protein expression patterns were determined in normal and cancer tissues and both proteins were expressed in the majority of the malignant melanomas. There was no correlation between TRP-1 or galectin-1 expression and survival.
Bolander
Asa
A
Department of Oncology, Uppsala University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweeden.
Agnarsdóttir
Margrét
M
Strömberg
Sara
S
Ponten
Fredrik
F
Hesselius
Patrik
P
Uhlen
Mathias
M
Bergqvist
Michael
M
D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D037483:Galectin 1 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D008297:Male; D008544:Melanocytes; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D010088:Oxidoreductases / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000378:metabolism; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D015996:Survival Rate
D037483:Galectin 1; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; C445499:LGALS1 protein, human; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D010088:Oxidoreductases; C489799:TYRP1 protein, human