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MLANA

Function

Involved in melanosome biogenesis by ensuring the stability of GPR143. Plays a vital role in the expression, stability, trafficking, and processing of melanocyte protein PMEL, which is critical to the formation of stage II melanosomes.

Post-translational modifications

Acylated.

Tissue specificity

Expression is restricted to melanoma and melanocyte cell lines and retina.

Cellular localization

  • Endoplasmic reticulum membrane
  • Single-pass type III membrane protein
  • Golgi apparatus
  • Golgi apparatus
  • Trans-Golgi network membrane
  • Melanosome
  • Also found in small vesicles and tubules dispersed over the entire cytoplasm. A small fraction of the protein is inserted into the membrane in an inverted orientation. Inversion of membrane topology results in the relocalization of the protein from a predominant Golgi/post-Golgi area to the endoplasmic reticulum. Melanoma cells expressing the protein with an inverted membrane topology are more effectively recognized by specific cytolytic T-lymphocytes than those expressing the protein in its native membrane orientation.

Alternative names

  • Melanoma antigen recognized by T-cells 1
  • MART-1
  • Antigen LB39-AA
  • Antigen SK29-AA
  • Protein Melan-A
  • MLANA
  • MART1

Target type

Proteins

Primary research area

Oncology

Other research areas

  • Immuno-oncology

Molecular weight

13157Da