[Human caspase-14 expression in malignant melanoma and its significance].

OBJECTIVE To detect the caspase-14 expression in malignant melanoma cells and tumor tissues and its effect on tumor resistance to drug. METHODS The mRNA and protein level of caspase-14 in 4 melanoma cell lines (A375, A875, M14, and SK-Mel-1) and the melanocytes, was detected by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. Caspase-14 expression in 34 malignant melanoma tumor tissues and 10 dermal nevus tissues was determined by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Caspase-14 expression was seen in melanoma cells and melanocytes. It was higher in melanoma-associated antigen 1 recognized by T cells (MART-1) positive cells than in MART-1 negative cells. The cells expressing the lower caspase-14 were more sensitive to the treatment with either chemotherapy drugs camptothecin and cisplatin or radiotherapy than the ones expressing the higher caspase-14 (P<0.01). Caspase-14 expression was observed in 70% dermal nevus, as well as 97% in malignant melanoma tissues, and the difference between them was statistically significant (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Caspase-14 is expressed in tissues and cells of malignant melanoma. Our data indicated that the expression level of caspase-14 affected the drug sensitivity of melanoma.