LOSS OF MELANOGENIC PROPERTIES IN TYROSINASES INDUCED BY GLYCOSYLATION INHIBITORS WITHIN MALIGNANT-MELANOMA CELLS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 42  (5) , 1994-2002
Abstract
Glycosylation inhibitors, glucosamine or tunicamycin, are specific inhibitory modulators for melanogenesis, which is accentuated generally in malignant melanoma cells. Exposure to glucosamine (1 mg/ml) or tunicamycin (0.2-0.4 .mu.g/ml) induces a marked pigment loss within [mouse and hamster] melanoma cells in vitro with a decrease in their growth curves. This melanogenic inhibition occurs without a substantial decrease in the synthesis of DNA, RNA and protein in comparison with a specific, marked suppression of carbohydrate synthesis as revealed by suppressed mannose incorporation into these cells. Assay of tyrosinase of glucosamine- or tunicamycin-induced unpigmented melanoma cells has revealed a selective and marked decrease in the melanosome-rich large-granule fraction, but no substantial decrease in the total activity of remaining subcellular fractions. Electrophoresis of tyrosinase in the 30,000 .times. g supernatant fraction demonstrates an increase in the T1 form of soluble tyrosinase, while a disappearance of or marked decrease in membrane-bound tyrosinase, T3, is seen in the small- and large-granule fractions. Glycoprotein synthesis in the melanogenic subcellular compartments of pigment cells seems to play an integral role in melanogenesis which is principally enhanced in their carcinogenic status.