MLANA Human

Melan-A was discovered as an antigen recognized by tumor-infiltrating cytotoxic T cells from a melanoma patient . This discovery highlighted its potential as a marker for melanoma, a type of cancer that arises from melanocytes. Due to its specific expression in melanocytes and melanoma cells, Melan-A is widely used in pathology to diagnose and classify melanoma .

Pathologists use Melan-A primarily for the diagnosis and classification of melanoma. The presence of Melan-A in a tissue sample can help distinguish melanoma from other types of cancer or noncancerous conditions that may appear similar under a microscope . However, it is important to note that Melan-A expression is not exclusive to melanoma and can also be found in tumors of the adrenal gland, some types of lymphoma, and certain sarcomas . Therefore, the expression of Melan-A must be considered alongside other test results to reach a definitive diagnosis.

The detection of Melan-A in tissue samples is typically performed using a technique called immunohistochemistry (IHC). In this process, a tissue sample, such as a biopsy, is treated with antibodies that specifically bind to Melan-A. The bound antibodies are then visualized using various staining methods, allowing pathologists to identify Melan-A-expressing cells .

Recombinant Melan-A refers to the protein produced through recombinant DNA technology, which involves inserting the gene encoding Melan-A into a host organism, such as bacteria or yeast, to produce the protein in large quantities. This recombinant protein can be used in various research and diagnostic applications, including the development of antibodies and the study of melanoma biology .