Molecular profiles of human melanoma-associated antigens.

Melanoma-associated antigens (MAA) shed into spent culture medium of intrinsically radiolabeled melanoma cells react specifically with monoclonal and polyclonal anti-melanoma xenoantiserums and are represented by two glycoproteins with molecular weights of 240,000 (240K) and 94,000 (94K): 240K is present only on melanoma cells whereas 94k is also found on carcinoma cells and on fetal melanocytes. Both 240K and 94K have been obtained radiochemically pure by utilizing cellulose ion-exchange and antibody affinity chromatography. The two antigens have different charge properties, as 240K binds to CM-cellulose while 94K does not. A difference in carbohydrate moieties is also indicated since 240K binds selectively to lentil lectin and 94K to ricin lectin. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis an tryptic peptide maps of the two antigens reveal distinct and characteristics profiles. Subunit structure determination of both antigens suggests 94K to be a single chain whereas 240K appears to be a subunit of a larger molecular structure.