Up-regulation of histidine decarboxylase expression and histamine content in B16F10 murine melanoma cells.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to determine if differences in histidine decarboxylase expression and histamine levels exist between B16F10 melanoma cells and non-cancerous Melan-A melanocytes.


METHODS
Immunofluorescence and western blot analysis were used to detect and compare histidine decarboxylase protein levels. Enzyme-linked immunoassay was used to detect, measure, and compare histamine levels.


RESULTS
Histidine decarboxylase expression was found to be elevated in the B16F10 cells. Western blot analysis demonstrated levels of histidine decarboxylase protein expression more than twofold higher (p < 0.001) in B16F10 than in Melan-A cells. Histamine levels were 280-fold higher (p < 0.001) in B16F10 (229 ± 15 pg/mg protein) than in Melan-A (0.83 ± 0.03 pg/mg protein) cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate an up-regulated histaminergic system in the B16F10 melanoma cells when compared to non-cancerous melanocytes. This supports the use of B16F10 cells as a model in which to investigate a potential role of the endogenous histaminergic system in regulating malignant cell function.
Davis
Steven C
SC
Department of Pharmacology, Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine, Marshall University, Huntington, WV 25704-9388, USA. davis266@marshall.edu
Clark
Sheena
S
Hayes
J Robert
JR
Green
Todd L
TL
Gruetter
Carl A
CA
D000818:Animals; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006632:Histamine / Q000378:metabolism*; D006640:Histidine Decarboxylase / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D008545:Melanoma / Q000201:enzymology*; D051379:Mice; D015854:Up-Regulation
D006632:Histamine; D006640:Histidine Decarboxylase