Anti-Mouse/Human TYRP1/TRP1 (Clone TA99) - Purified <i>in vivo</i> GOLD™ Functional Grade (T745-GRP)

The pigment melanin is produced by specialized organelles called melanosomes that are present in melanocytes1. Melanosomes mature through four morphologically distinct stages, and it is in Stage II that melanin synthesis and deposition is initiated by enzymes including TYRP12.TYRP1/TRP1 (gp75) is a 75 kDa melanosomal membrane protein3,4 involved in melanin synthesis that is also the most abundant glycoprotein synthesized by pigmented melanocytes and melanomas5. In mice, TYRP1/TRP1 (gp75) is also known as the b (brown) locus and determines coat color6. Gene identity is 88% conserved between mouse and human. TYRP1/TRP1 (gp75) is glycosylated by addition and processing of five or more Asn-linked carbohydrate chains. TA99 was generated by immunizing mice with whole cells of a darkly pigmented melanoma (SK-MEL-23) and fusing spleen cells with NS-1 cells for hybridoma production4. TA99 is reactive against mature melanosomes1. In normal tissues, TA99 reacts with elanin-containing cells in the basal layer of the epidermis as well as pigmented cells of the eye4. TA99 is widely used as a melanosomal marker. The benefits of TA99 in cancer therapy are being investigated. In mouse, TA99 prevents outgrowth of B16F10 melanoma metastases5,7. In humans, TA99 is used for melanoma diagnosis5. Additionally, TA99 can target subcutaneous human melanoma xenografts in vivo5 and can induce neutrophil recruitment in tumor sites in a B16 melanoma mouse model8. TA99 also improves DNA vaccination against melanoma antigen gp1009. FcγR signaling is required for TA99 action5,9,10,11. TA99 has no impact on tumor outgrowth in established solid tumors12.