Abstract |
The discovery that the dilute gene encodes a class V myosin led to the hypothesis that this molecular motor is involved in melanosome transport and/or dendrite outgrowth in mammalian melanocytes. The present studies were undertaken to gain insight into the subcellular distribution of myosin-V in the melanoma cell line B16-F10, which is wild-type for the dilute gene. Immunofluorescence studies showed some degree of superimposed labeling of myosin-V with melanosomes that predominated at the cell periphery. A subcellular fraction highly enriched in melanosomes was also enriched in myosin-V based on Western blot analysis. Immunoelectron microscopy showed myosin-V labeling associated with melanosomes and other organelles. The stimulation of B16 cells with the alpha-melanocyte-stimulating hormone led to a significant increase in myosin-V expression. This is the first evidence that a cAMP signaling pathway might regulate the dilute gene expression. Immunofluorescence also showed an intense labeling of myosin-V independent of melanosomes that was observed within the dendrites and at the perinuclear region. Although the results presented herein are consistent with the hypothesis that myosin-V might act as a motor for melanosome translocation, they also suggest a broader cytoplasmic function for myosin-V, acting on other types of organelles or in cytoskeletal dynamics.
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Authors | A A Nascimento, R G Amaral, J C Bizario, R E Larson, E M Espreafico |
Journal | Molecular biology of the cell
(Mol Biol Cell)
Vol. 8
Issue 10
Pg. 1971-88
(Oct 1997)
ISSN: 1059-1524 [Print] United States |
PMID | 9348537
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
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Chemical References |
- Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones
- Myosins
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Topics |
- Animals
- Blotting, Western
- Cell Fractionation
- Genes, Neoplasm
- Immunohistochemistry
- Melanocyte-Stimulating Hormones
(pharmacology)
- Melanoma, Experimental
(genetics, pathology)
- Mice
- Mice, Inbred C57BL
- Microscopy, Confocal
- Microscopy, Fluorescence
- Myosins
(analysis, drug effects, genetics)
- Tumor Cells, Cultured
(chemistry, drug effects, ultrastructure)
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