title: LASP1, a Newly Identified Melanocytic Protein with a Possible Role in Melanin Release, but Not in Melanoma Progression.
abstract: The LIM and SH3 protein 1 (LASP1) is a focal adhesion protein. Its expression is increased in many malignant tumors. However, little is known about the physiological role of the protein. In the present study, we investigated the expression and function of LASP1 in normal skin, melanocytic nevi and malignant melanoma. In normal skin, a distinct LASP1 expression is visible only in the basal epidermal layer while in nevi LASP1 protein is detected in all melanocytes. Melanoma exhibit no increase in LASP1 mRNA compared to normal skin. In melanocytes, the protein is bound to dynamin and mainly localized at late melanosomes along the edges and at the tips of the cell. Knockdown of LASP1 results in increased melanin concentration in the cells. Collectively, we identified LASP1 as a hitherto unknown protein in melanocytes and as novel partner of dynamin in the physiological process of membrane constriction and melanosome vesicle release.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Anjana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vaman V S
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany; Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Heiko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Poppe
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Houben
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Pediatric Sarcoma Biology, Institute of Pathology, Ludwig Maximilians University Munich, Munich, Germany.
authors.forename: Thomas G P
authors.initials: TG
authors.lastname: Grunewald
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Matthias
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Goebeler
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Pathobiochemistry, University Hospital Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Elke
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Butt
mesh_terms: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002465:Cell Movement; D049109:Cell Proliferation; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D034281:Dynamins / Q000378:metabolism; D055785:Gene Knockdown Techniques; D006801:Humans; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008543:Melanins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D048868:Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; C096353:LASP1 protein, human; D060588:LIM Domain Proteins; D008543:Melanins; D034281:Dynamins