# ROLE OF ONCOGENES IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF MELANOMA

> **NIH NIH R01** · SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH · 1987 · $181,162

## Abstract

We propose to analyze the role of oncogenes in the pathogenesis of human
melanoma.  Our recent work has shown that 4 out of 40 (10%) cultured human
melanoma cell lines have activated transforming genes detectable in the
NIH/3T3 assay.  Of the 40 melanoma lines assayed, five were from separate
metastatic deposits from a single patient.  Only 1 of the 5 cell lines from
this patient had detectable oncogene activity.  The transforming genes
derived from the four positive melanoma cell lines were found to belong to
the ras gene family, with three isolates related to the N-ras gene and one
isolate related to the c-Ha-ras-1 gene.  To extend these initial studies,
we propose to:  (1) determine the frequency of ras gene activation in
non-cultured primary and metastatic deposits from different individuals,
and in separate multiple primary and metastatic deposits from the same
individual.  Further, we will investigate p21 levels, p21 species and p21
message in a panel of cultured melanoma cells; (2) determine the presence
of transforming non-ras oncogenes in non-cultured and cultured primary and
metastatic melanomas; (3) determine the pattern of oncogene expression in
cultured and non-cultured primary and metastatic melanomas; and (4) develop
transformation assays using human melanocytes and nevus cells.  Initial
studies will determine optimal conditions for DNA uptake and stable
expression and if these cells are competent for transformation by infection
with SV40 virus.  We will assay the transforming activity of the following
cloned genes alone or in combinations:  human c-myc, human Ha-ras and
adenovirus early region 1A.  Studies will also be undertaken to test the
transforming activity of human N-ras and c-myc genes cloned into a
retroviral experssion vector, pZipNeoSV(X).  (X)

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3175850
- **Project number:** 5R01CA037907-03
- **Recipient organization:** SLOAN-KETTERING INST CAN RESEARCH
- **SAM.gov UEI:** KUKXRCZ6NZC2
- **Principal Investigator:** ANTHONY P ALBINO
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1987
- **Award amount:** $181,162
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1985-09-01 → 1988-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3175850

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3175850, ROLE OF ONCOGENES IN THE PATHOGENESIS OF MELANOMA (5R01CA037907-03). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3175850. Licensed CC0.

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