PMEL
PMEL (premelanosome protein, also known as gp100, Pmel17, SILV, SIL, SI, ME20, HMB-45 and D12S53E) is a melanocyte-specific type I transmembrane glycoprotein. It organises the structure of premelanosomes and is a well-characterised melanoma-specific antigen. Browse Assay Genie's current range of PMEL research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
PMEL is a melanocyte-specific type I transmembrane glycoprotein that is enriched in melanosomes, the organelles in which melanocytes make melanin. It plays an essential role in the structural organisation of premelanosomes and is involved in generating the internal matrix fibres that mark the transition from Stage I to Stage II melanosomes.
The protein undergoes a complex pattern of post-translational processing and modification, which is essential for its proper function. UniProt records it in several compartments along its route: the endoplasmic reticulum membrane, the cis-Golgi network membrane, multivesicular body endosomes and melanosomes, as well as extracellular vesicles and a secreted form. The secreted form is released by proteolytic ectodomain shedding and may be used as a melanoma-specific serum marker. Alternative splicing of the PMEL gene gives multiple transcript variants. PMEL belongs to the PMEL/NMB family, and the mouse ortholog is Pmel.
PMEL is also a potent melanoma-specific antigen. Among non-mutated melanoma self-peptides, G9-154 (KTWGQYWQV), G9-209 (ITDQVPFSV) and G9-280 (YLEPGPVTA) appear to act as immunodominant common epitopes. They stimulate an anti-tumour immune response mediated by HLA-A-restricted cytotoxic T cells. The many names for this protein reflect its history: gp100, Pmel17 and SILV derive from the silver locus, and HMB-45 is the name of the antibody-defined melanoma antigen. HGNC lists earlier names as silver (mouse homolog) like and silver homolog (mouse).
PMEL organises internal matrix fibres and drives the transition from Stage I to Stage II melanosomes, making it central to premelanosome structure.
PMEL is a melanoma-specific antigen whose self-peptides act as immunodominant epitopes for HLA-A-restricted cytotoxic T cells.
Epitopes G9-154, G9-209 and G9-280 stimulate anti-tumour immune responses, making PMEL a focus for studying T cell recognition of melanoma.
A secreted form released by ectodomain shedding may serve as a melanoma-specific serum marker.
PMEL is a melanocyte-specific type I transmembrane glycoprotein enriched in melanosomes. It is essential for the structural organisation of premelanosomes and helps form internal matrix fibres that define the transition from Stage I to Stage II melanosomes. It is also a melanoma-specific antigen.
Aliases include gp100, Pmel17, SILV, SIL, SI, ME20, HMB-45, HMB45 and D12S53E. Earlier names were silver (mouse homolog) like and silver homolog (mouse). The gene produces multiple transcript variants through alternative splicing, and the protein is heavily processed after translation.
A mouse ortholog, Pmel, is recorded, and PMEL belongs to the PMEL/NMB family. In disease research, PMEL is a melanoma-specific antigen, and its secreted form may be a serum marker; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Related melanosome proteins, melanocyte markers and melanoma antigens with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P40967; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.