Overexpression of transforming growth factor-a in melanocytes - a study of transformation
RS Mason
(collaborators: GPM Moore, C. Gordon-Thomson, Dept of Biological Sciences, Univ of Western Sydney; R Sutton, CSIRO, Prospect)

The potential role of transforming growth factor-a (TGFa) in the transformation of melanocytes after UV exposure is being examined in this study. Work carried out so far has shown that specific binding sites for TGFa are found on normal melanocytes only when they are proliferating, though they are present on other epidermal cells. Irradiatiaion of melanocytes was found, however, to increase protein kinase C activity within the cells and the phosphorylation of two protein bands. The possibility that other cytokine receptors may be activated in melanocytes after UV is being investigated. In a second approach to the problem, mice which overexpress TGFa in melanocytes have been bred, though no increases in skin carcinogenesis has been found. The TGFa gene has been stably transfected into human melanocytes. The effect of this is currently being examined.