Poster presentation, P41

Official XXIst International Pigment Cell Conference website - 21-24 Sept 2011, Bordeaux - France | updated: September 04 2011

Subcellular localization of the P protein in human melanocytes

SPEAKER T. Kondo #whois submiter ?
AUTHOR(s) T. Kondo, V.J. Hearing

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The P gene is the pathogenic gene of Oculocutaneous albinism type 2 (OCA2) and encodes a pigment cell-specific, 12-transmembrane domain protein with homology to ion transporters. The P protein has been suggested to be involved in regulating melanosomal pH and/or substrate transport, but its function(s) remains unclear at this time, and its subcellular localization is still under debate. The goal of this project was to resolve both of those issues and determine the mechanism(s) underlying OCA2. METHODS: We generated rabbit antibodies against the human P protein. We confirmed their specificities and sensitivities with western blots. To elucidate the subcellular localization of the P protein, we used confocal microscopy with antibodies specific for various subcellular organelles. RESULTS: Analysis of the specificities and sensitivities of those antibodies showed that only 1 of the rabbits had a high titer and was completely specific. Using this P antibody and other antibodies specific for various subcellular organelles allowed the subcellular localization of the P protein to be identified by confocal microscopy. The P protein was not localized in the endoplasmic reticulum although some of it was localised in lysosomes and in lysosome-related organelles. CONCLUSIONS: Further identification of the processing and subcellular localization of the P protein using this new antibody should provide valuable information regarding its function and mechanism of action. This study should eventually clarify the role of the P protein in OCA2.



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Université de Bordeaux 2 & Conseil Régional Aquitaine