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Expression of α subunit of guanine nucleotide‐binding protein G o in Merkel cell carcinoma
Author(s) -
Uhara Hisashi,
Wang YuLai,
Matsumoto Sachiyo,
Kawachi Shigeo,
Saida Toshiaki
Publication year - 1995
Publication title -
journal of cutaneous pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.597
H-Index - 75
eISSN - 1600-0560
pISSN - 0303-6987
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0560.1995.tb01397.x
Subject(s) - merkel cell , merkel cell carcinoma , biology , immunohistochemistry , pathology , sweat gland , carcinoma , cancer research , medicine , paleontology , sweat
The α subunit of guanine nucleotide‐binding protein G o (G o α), which was initially isolated from bovine brain, interacts with muscarinic cholinergic receptors and regulates neuronal calcium channels. G o α is known to be localized in neural tissues, some endocrine cells, and neuroendocrine tumors. We have immunohistochemically investigated the expression of G o α in 4 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma using the method of microwave treatment. In all cases of Merkel cell carcinoma, G o α was consistently detected on the plasma membrane and cytoplasm of the tumor cells. Nerve fibers in the skin were also positive for G o α, but other epidermal or dermal components such as keratinocytes, melanocytes, fibroblasts, or lymphoid cells were negative. Tumor cells of squamous cell carcinoma, cutaneous lymphoma, sweat gland carcinoma, and malignant melanoma were negative for G o 4aL. The present study indicates that G o α may be a useful immunohistochemical marker of Merkel cell carcinoma.