Loss of p14ARF expression in melanoma

Our plain-English summary of Loss of p14ARF expression in melanoma, by R. Dobrowolski, R. Hein, R. Buettner, et al (Archives of Dermatological Research, 2002).

The study

• Authors: R. Dobrowolski, R. Hein, R. Buettner, A.K. Bosserhoff
• Journal: Archives of Dermatological Research
• Published: 2002;293(11):545-51
• Cited by: 13 articles, as counted by NIH iCite
• Read it: PubMed · Publisher

Abstract

Lack of p14ARF expression or its functional inactivation has been observed in human and murine carcinomas. Although very few mutations of p14ARF have been detected in some cancer types, changes in expression seem to play an important role in the development of other human cancers such as mesotheliomas. To examine the p14ARF gene and expression of p14ARF protein in melanomas, we screened eight human melanoma cell lines and primary human melanocytes by RT-PCR, sequencing and immunoblotting. All melanoma cell lines analyzed expressed wild-type p14ARF mRNA as well as protein. P14ARF expression was investigated by immunohistochemical staining of 32 tissue samples of benign melanocytic nevi (n=14), melanomas (n=12) and melanoma metastases (n=6). In contrast to the results obtained from cell lines in vitro the immunohistochemical stainings revealed a correlation between the progression of melanoma and the lack of the p14ARF protein expression. Positive p14ARF protein staining was observed in 11 of 14 benign nevi, in 3 of 12 melanomas and in 0 of 6 melanoma metastases. In summary, we demonstrated a significant inverse correlation between p14ARF protein expression and progression of melanocytic tumors since the amount of p14ARF protein staining decreased from benign melanocytic nevi to metastatic melanoma in situ. These results suggest that p14ARF inactivation is important in the development of melanomas.

In plain English

This laboratory study looked at p14ARF, a protein described as a tumor suppressor, in melanoma, a skin cancer. It did not study asbestos. Mesothelioma appears only in the background, where the article cites other research. The authors tested eight human melanoma cell lines and normal human pigment cells (melanocytes) grown in the laboratory. All of them produced p14ARF, and no mutations were found in the parts of the gene examined in the cell lines. The authors also stained 32 tissue samples from patients: 14 benign moles (nevi), 12 melanomas and 6 melanoma metastases. Positive staining was reported in 11 of 14 nevi, 3 of 12 melanomas and 0 of 6 metastases. The authors described 9 of 12 primary melanomas and all 6 metastases as deficient in the protein. In metastases, staining was confined to a few scattered cells. The authors concluded that p14ARF expression decreased as the tumors progressed. Some of the article's counts do not agree with each other, and the full text reports no statistical test.

We wrote this plain-English summary from the full article with the help of AI, and a second AI model checked each sentence against the article. It is not the authors' wording; the abstract and the article are their own account.

What the study did and found

• Design: Laboratory study of melanoma cell lines (gene sequencing and protein tests) plus immunohistochemical staining of human tissue samples
• Who was studied: Eight human melanoma cell lines and primary human melanocytes; 32 patient tissue samples: 14 benign melanocytic nevi (11 ordinary, 3 dysplastic per Table 1), 12 sporadic melanomas and 6 melanoma metastases. Patient location and dates are not given.
• Exposure: None. The article does not study asbestos or any other exposure; it measures p14ARF gene and protein expression.
• Main results:
  • p14ARF protein was detected in all eight melanoma cell lines and in primary human melanocytes
  • No mutations were found in the examined exons in any of the melanoma cell lines (data not shown)
  • In tissue samples, positive p14ARF staining was found in 11 of 14 nevi, 3 of 12 melanomas and 0 of 6 melanoma metastases
  • The authors described 9 of 12 primary melanomas and 6 of 6 melanoma metastases as deficient in p14ARF protein expression
  • In metastases, staining was confined to a few scattered cells
• The authors' conclusion: The authors concluded that p14ARF protein expression was inversely related to tumor progression, decreasing from nevus to metastatic melanoma.

Topics

Medical terms in this study, explained in our Lexicon: Carcinoma, Mesothelioma, Immunohistochemistry.

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