Further evidence to support the melanocytic origin of MDA-MB-435
- Correspondence to: Dr G Ellison, AstraZeneca, 19G22, Mereside, Alderely Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK; gillian.ellison{at}astrazeneca.com
- Accepted 5 March 2002
Abstract
Background/Aims: Until recently, the cell line MDA-MB-435 was widely accepted as originating from a breast cancer. However, microarray derived data have suggested that this cell line may in fact originate from an occult melanoma. This study was designed to investigate this hypothesis further.
Methods: Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the tissue of origin of two sublines of MDA-MB-435 (MDA-MB-435 S and MDA-MB-435 HGF). The expression of a panel of genes typical of breast cells or melanocytes was analysed.
Results: The MDA-MD-435 cell lines expressed none of the genes characteristic of breast cancer cells but did express several genes commonly expressed by melanocytes.
Conclusions: These results strongly suggest that MDA-MB-435 is indeed of melanoma origin.
- ATCC, American Type Culture Collection
- DAB, diaminobenzidine
- ECACC, European Collection of Cell Cultures
- EMA, epithelial membrane antigen
- FCS, fetal calf serum
- HGF, hepatocyte growth factor
- HPRT, hypoxanthine ribosyl transferase
- NEAA, non-essential amino acids
- RT-PCR, reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction
- SCID, severe combined immunodeficient
