MLANA

Protein melan-A also known as melanoma antigen recognized by T cells 1 or MART-1 is a is_associated_with::protein that in humans is encoded by the MLANA is_associated_with::gene. A fragment of the protein, usually consisting of the nine amino acids 27 to 35, is bound by is_associated_with::MHC class I complexes which present it to is_associated_with::T cells of the immune system. These complexes can be found on the surface of is_associated_with::melanoma cells. Decameric peptides (26-35) are being investigated as cancer vaccines.

Discovery and nomenclature
The names MART-1 and melan-A were coined by two groups of researchers who independently sequenced the gene for this antigen in 1994. Both names are currently in common use. Kawakami et al. at the is_associated_with::National Cancer Institute coined the term MART-1, which stands for "melanoma antigen recognized by is_associated_with::T-cells." Coulie et al. of is_associated_with::Belgium called the gene melan-A, presumably an abbreviation for "melanocyte antigen."

Clinical significance
MART-1/melan-A is a protein is_associated_with::antigen that is found on the surface of is_associated_with::melanocytes. Antibodies against the antigen are used in the medical specialty of is_associated_with::anatomic pathology in order to recognize cells of melanocytic differentiation, useful for the diagnosis of a is_associated_with::melanoma. The same name is also used to refer to the gene which codes for the antigen.

The MART-1/melan-A antigen is specific for the melanocyte lineage, found in normal skin, the retina, and melanocytes, but not in other normal tissues. It is thus useful as a marker for melanocytic tumors (is_associated_with::melanomas) with the caveat that it is normally found in benign nevi as well.

Structure
MART-1/melan-A is a putative 18 kDa transmembrane protein consisting of 118 is_associated_with::amino acids. It has a single transmembrane domain.

Regulation
Its expression is regulated by the is_associated_with::Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor.