Dermatology
Original Paper
New Methodological Approach for the Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Melanocytes and Melanocytic TumoursThe DOPA-GA Method aDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Tochigi Cancer Centre, Utsunomiya; bDepartment of Laboratory Medicine, Ishikawa Hospital, Fukushima; cDepartment of Pathology, Juntendo University School of Medicine, and dDepartment of Pathology, Tokyo-West Tokusyukai Hospital, Tokyo, Japan
|
|
Log in to MyKarger to check if you already have access to this content.
KAB
Buy a Karger Article Bundle (KAB) and profit from a discount!
If you would like to redeem your KAB credit, please log in.
Save over 20% compared to the individual article price.
Article / Publication Details
Received: August 21, 2008
Accepted: February 23, 2009
Published online: August 13, 2009
Issue release date: October 2009
Number of Print Pages: 7
Number of Figures: 4
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 1018-8665 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9832 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/DRM
Abstract
Background: During melanogenesis, the activity of tyrosinase (the key enzyme for melanin synthesis) is important in the diagnosis of melanomas. Methods: Nine samples were included in this study, based on the availability of four malignant melanomas and five benign tumours. Our new approach is based on a combination of the DOPA oxidase and the glyoxylic acid (GA) methods for catecholamine (named the ‘DOPA-GA method’). Here, we compared the conventional DOPA oxidase method with that of the DOPA-GA method. Results: In all malignant melanomas, the fluorescence intensity of the DOPA-GA method was strongly expressed within the cytoplasm. The melanoma cells showed an obvious sensitivity compared with the Laidlaw and Blackberg method, as did the melanocytes in the normal skin. Detection was easier with the DOPA-GA method than the Laidlaw and Blackberg method. Hence, we developed a sensitive and rapid method with a total assay time of less than 30 min. Conclusion: DOPA-GA reflects tyrosinase activity in melanocytic tumours, and our new approach is an improvement on the conventional DOPA oxidase method, with regard to both specificity and sensitivity. The DOPA-GA method will be useful for routine pathological testing and melanogenetic studies of melanocytes and melanocytic tumours.
© 2009 S. Karger AG, Basel
Related Articles:
References
- Levin EY, Levenberg B: The enzymatic conversion of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylethylamine to norepinephrine. J Biol Chem 1960;235:2080–2086.
-
Bloch B: Chemische Untersuchungen über das spezifische pigmentbildende Ferment der Haut, die Dopaoxydase. Arch Derm Syph 1917;124:226–254.
-
Laidlaw GF, Blackberg SN: A simple technique for the DOPA reaction. Am J Path 1932;8:491–498.
External Resources
-
Becker SW, Praver LL, Thatcher H: An improved (paraffin section) method for the DOPA reaction. Arch Derm Syph 1935;31:190–195.
-
Radaeli G: Improvement in technique of DOPA reaction. Arch Dermat Syph 1953;68:668–671.
External Resources
- Iijima S, Watanabe K: Preliminary and short report; studies on DOPA reaction. I. A simple technic for DOPA reaction. J Invest Dermatol 1956;26:235–237.
-
Falck B: Fluorescence of catecholamines and related compounds condensed with formaldehyde. J Histochem 1962;10:348–354.
External Resources
-
Falck B, Owman C: A detailed methodological description of the fluorescence method for the cellular demonstration of biogenic monoamines. Acta Univ Lund 1965;2:1–23.
- de la Torre JC, Surgeon JW: A Methodological approach to rapid and sensitive monoamine histofluorescence using a modified glyoxylic acid technique: the SPG method. Histochemistry 1976;49:81–93.
- Okun MR, Edelstein LM, Or N, Hamada G, Donnellan B, Lever WF: Histochemical differentiation of peroxidase-mediated from tyrosinase-mediated melanin formation in mammalian tissues: the biologic significance of peroxidase-mediated oxidation of tyrosine to melanin. Histochemie 1970;23:295–309.
- Flawn PC, Wilde PF: A study of the mechanism of action and role of a natural inhibitor of DOPA autoxidation isolated from guinea pig skin. J Invest Dermatol 1970;55:159–163.
Article / Publication Details
Received: August 21, 2008
Accepted: February 23, 2009
Published online: August 13, 2009
Issue release date: October 2009
Number of Print Pages: 7
Number of Figures: 4
Number of Tables: 0
ISSN: 1018-8665 (Print)
eISSN: 1421-9832 (Online)
For additional information: https://www.karger.com/DRM
Copyright / Drug Dosage / Disclaimer
Copyright: All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be translated into other languages, reproduced or utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, microcopying, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher.Drug Dosage: The authors and the publisher have exerted every effort to ensure that drug selection and dosage set forth in this text are in accord with current recommendations and practice at the time of publication. However, in view of ongoing research, changes in government regulations, and the constant flow of information relating to drug therapy and drug reactions, the reader is urged to check the package insert for each drug for any changes in indications and dosage and for added warnings and precautions. This is particularly important when the recommended agent is a new and/or infrequently employed drug.
Disclaimer: The statements, opinions and data contained in this publication are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publishers and the editor(s). The appearance of advertisements or/and product references in the publication is not a warranty, endorsement, or approval of the products or services advertised or of their effectiveness, quality or safety. The publisher and the editor(s) disclaim responsibility for any injury to persons or property resulting from any ideas, methods, instructions or products referred to in the content or advertisements.
Get Permission
PubMed ID
