Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: The microarray technique is a powerful tool to compare gene expression profiles of different cell lines simultanously and quantitatively. The aim of this study is to analyse gene expression between different uvea melanoma cell lines and compare them with the expression profile of choroidal melanocyte cultures, in order to detect differences in oncogeniticy. Methods: RNA was isolated from eleven uvea melanoma cell lines and hybridised on Clontech Cancer array filters. Each filter contains 1176 cDNA spots of genes related to tumorigenesis. In addition, two different choroidal melanocyte cultures were tested and served as controls. Analysis was performed using the Cluster computer analysisprogram. This program recognizes cell lines with corresponding gene profiles. Results: Cluster analysis of the gene expression profiles revealed clear differences between the cell lines of the tumors and the normal melanocytes. The cell lines could be divided in two major clusters. Cell lines omm1.3 and omm1.5 derived from two metastases of the primary tumor cell line Mel270. Clustered together with Mel270, the two cell lines revealed clear differences in gene expression compared to their primary tumor. Conclusion: Microarray analysis gives clear insight in the differences of gene expression between cell lines of different origin. Clustering of the array data revealed that related cell lines are brought together, therefore indicating a strong coherence with the primary tumor where they originated from. In conclusion, genes that have been found in this study to be differentially expressed are potentially important markers that predict metastatic behaviour.
Keywords: 464 melanoma • 496 oncology • 417 gene/expression