Anti-Melanoma gp100/PMEL Antibody Picoband®

This gene is mapped to 12q13.2. It encodes a melanocyte-specific type I transmembrane glycoprotein. The encoded protein is enriched in melanosomes, which are the melanin-producing organelles in melanocytes, and plays an essential role in the structural organization of premelanosomes. This protein is involved in generating internal matrix fibers that define the transition from Stage I to Stage II melanosomes. This protein undergoes a complex pattern of prosttranslational processing and modification that is essential to the proper functioning of the protein. A secreted form of this protein that is released by proteolytic ectodomain shedding may be used as a melanoma-specific serum marker. Alternate splicing results in multiple transcript variants.

Melanocyte protein PMEL; ME20-M; ME20M; Melanocyte protein Pmel 17; Melanocytes lineage-specific antigen GP100; Melanoma-associated ME20 antigen; P1; P100; Premelanosome protein; Silver locus protein homolog; M-alpha; 95 kDa melanocyte-specific secreted glycoprotein; P26; Secreted melanoma-associated ME20 antigen; ME20-S; ME20S; M-beta; PMEL; D12S53E; PMEL17; SILV

A synthetic peptide corresponding to a sequence at the N-terminus of human Melanoma gp100/PMEL, which shares 71.4% and 65.7% amino acid (aa) sequence identity with mouse and rat Melanoma gp100/PMEL, respectively.

Preferentially expressed in melanomas. Some expression was found in dysplastic nevi. Not found in normal tissues nor in carcinomas. Normally expressed at low levels in quiescent adult melanocytes but overexpressed by proliferating neonatal melanocytes and during tumor growth.

Amino Acid Metabolism, Amino Acids, Cancer, Cell Type Markers, Metabolic Signaling Pathways, Metabolism, Pathways and Processes, Signal Transduction, Tumor Associated, Tumor Immunology, Tumor-Associated Antigens

Plays a central role in the biogenesis of melanosomes. Involved in the maturation of melanosomes from stage I to II. The transition from stage I melanosomes to stage II melanosomes involves an elongation of the vesicle, and the appearance within of distinct fibrillar structures. Release of the soluble form, ME20-S, could protect tumor cells from antibody mediated immunity.

1. Adema, G. J., de Boer, A. J., Vogel, A. M., Loenen, W. A. M., Figdor, C. G. Molecular characterization of the melanocyte lineage-specific antigen gp100. J. Biol. Chem. 269: 20126-20133, 1994. 2. Bailin, T., Lee, S.-T., Spritz, R. A. Genomic organization and sequence of D12S53E (Pmel 17), the human homologue of the mouse silver (si) locus. J. Invest. Derm. 106: 24-27, 1996. 3. Berson, J. F., Harper, D. C., Tenza, D., Raposo, G., Marks, M. S. Pmel17 initiates premelanosome morphogenesis within multivesicular bodies. Molec. Biol. Cell 12: 3451-3464, 2001.

Store at -20°C for one year from date of receipt. After reconstitution, at 4°C for one month. It can also be aliquotted and stored frozen at -20°C for six months. Avoid repeated freeze-thaw cycles.