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Home / Equine Research Bank / BMC Vet Res / RACK1, a clue to the diagnosis of cutaneous melanomas in hor...
BMC veterinary research2012; 8; 95; doi: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-95

RACK1, a clue to the diagnosis of cutaneous melanomas in horses.

Abstract: Melanocytic proliferations are common in horses but the diagnosis of malignancy is not always straightforward. To improve diagnosis and prognosis, markers of malignancy are needed. Receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) protein may be such a marker. RACK1 was originally found to characterize malignant melanocytic lesions in the Melanoblastoma-bearing Libechov minipig (MeLiM) and, later, in human patients. Our purpose was to investigate the value of RACK1 in the classification of cutaneous melanocytic proliferations in horses. Results: Using immunofluorescence, we report here that both MITF (Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) and PAX3 (Paired box 3) allow the identification of melanocytic cells in horse skin samples. Importantly, RACK1 was detected in melanocytic lesions but not in healthy skin melanocytes. Finally, we found that RACK1 labeling can be used in horses to distinguish benign melanocytic tumors from melanomas. Indeed, RACK1 labeling appeared more informative to assess malignancy than individual histomorphological features. Conclusions: This study confirms that horses provide an interesting model for melanoma genesis studies. It establishes MITF and PAX3 as markers of horse melanocytic cells. RACK1 emerges as an important marker of malignancy which may contribute to progress in the diagnosis of melanomas in both human and veterinary medicine.
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Publication Date: 2012-06-29 PubMed ID: 22747534PubMed Central: PMC3543212DOI: 10.1186/1746-6148-8-95Google Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
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  • Non-U.S. Gov't

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research is about the identification of Receptor for activated C kinase 1 (RACK1) as a marker of malignancy in equine skin melanomas, proving its value in distinguishing between benign tumors and malignant ones. It also introduces MITF and PAX3 as identifiers for melanocytic cells in horse skin.

The Need for Malignancy Markers

  • The research starts by acknowledging the frequent occurrence of melanocytic proliferations in horses. Despite this frequency, identifying whether these growths are benign or malignant has been challenging. Hence, the study seeks to identify markers that would aid in accurately diagnosing the state of these melanocytic proliferations.

RACK1 as a Potential Malignancy Marker

  • RACK1 stands out as a possible marker for malignancy. Initially, it was discovered in malignant melanocytic lesions in MeLiM pigs and in human patients. Thus, it showed potential to serve the same purpose in horses.

Analyzing the Value of RACK1 in Classifying Horse Cutaneous Melanocytic Proliferations

  • Through immunofluorescence, MITF (Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor) and PAX3 (Paired box 3) successfully identified melanocytic cells in horse skin samples.
  • RACK1 was recognized in melanocytic lesions but not in healthy skin melanocytes. This observation reaffirmed the presence of RACK1 as a potential indicator of malignancy.
  • The marker was able to distinguish between benign melanocytic tumors and melanomas in horses, highlighting RACK1 labeling to be more informative in assessing malignancy than other individual histomorphological features.

Conclusion and Implications

  • The study confirms that horses can be crucial in the exploration of melanoma genesis.
  • It further establishes MITF and PAX3 as crucial markers of horse melanocytic cells. Simultaneously, it concludes RACK1 as a significant malignancy marker.
  • This discovery could lead to progress in both human and veterinary medicine as we improve in diagnosing melanomas.

Cite This Article

APA
Campagne C, Julé S, Bernex F, Estrada M, Aubin-Houzelstein G, Panthier JJ, Egidy G. (2012). RACK1, a clue to the diagnosis of cutaneous melanomas in horses. BMC Vet Res, 8, 95. https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-6148-8-95

Publication

BMC veterinary research
ISSN: 1746-6148
NlmUniqueID: 101249759
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 8
Pages: 95

Researcher Affiliations

Campagne, Cécile
  • INRA, UMR955 de Génétique fonctionnelle et médicale, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, 7 avenue du Général de Gaulle, Maisons-Alfort, F-94704, France.
Julé, Sophia
    Bernex, Florence
      Estrada, Mercedes
        Aubin-Houzelstein, Geneviève
          Panthier, Jean-Jacques
            Egidy, Giorgia

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood
              • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
              • Female
              • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
              • Horse Diseases / diagnosis
              • Horse Diseases / metabolism
              • Horses
              • Male
              • Melanoma / diagnosis
              • Melanoma / metabolism
              • Melanoma / veterinary
              • Peptides / genetics
              • Peptides / metabolism
              • Receptors for Activated C Kinase
              • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis
              • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism
              • Skin Neoplasms / veterinary

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              Citations

              This article has been cited 12 times.
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