MITF regulates IDH1 and NNT and drives a transcriptional program protecting cutaneous melanoma from reactive oxygen species.

Microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) plays pivotal roles in melanocyte development, function, and melanoma pathogenesis. MITF amplification occurs in melanoma and has been associated with resistance to targeted therapies. Here, we show that MITF regulates a global antioxidant program that increases survival of melanoma cell lines by protecting the cells from reactive oxygen species (ROS)-induced damage. In addition, this redox program is correlated with MITF expression in human melanoma cell lines and patient-derived melanoma samples. Using a zebrafish melanoma model, we show that MITF decreases ROS-mediated DNA damage in vivo . Some of the MITF target genes involved, such as IDH1 and NNT , are regulated through direct MITF binding to canonical enhancer box (E-BOX) sequences proximal to their promoters. Utilizing functional experiments, we demonstrate the role of MITF and its target genes in reducing cytosolic and mitochondrial ROS. Collectively, our data identify MITF as a significant driver of the cellular antioxidant state. One Sentence Summary: MITF promote melanoma survival via increasing ROS tolerance.

Cationic Xylene Tag for Increasing Sensitivity in Mass Spectrometry.

N-(2-(Bromomethyl)benzyl)-N,N-diethylethanaminium bromide, that we designate as CAX-B (cationic xylyl-bromide), is presented as a derivatization reagent for increasing sensitivity in mass spectrometry. Because of its aryl bromomethyl moiety, CAX-B readily labels compounds having an active hydrogen. In part, a CAX-tagged analyte (CAX-analyte) can be very sensitive especially in a tandem mass spectrometer (both ESI and MALDI). This is because of facile formation of an analyte-characteristic first product ion (as a xylyl-based cation) from favorable loss of triethylamine as a neutral from the precursor ion. This loss is enhanced both by resonance stabilization of the xylyl cation, and by anchimeric assistance from the ortho hetero atom of the attached analyte. High intensity of a first product ion opens up the opportunity for a CAX-analyte to be additionally sensitive when it is prone to a secondary neutral loss from the analyte part. For example, we have derivatized and detected 160 amol of thymidine by CAX-tagging/LC-MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS in this way, where the two neutral losses are triethylamine and deoxyribose. Other analytes detected at the amol level as CAX derivatives (as diluted standards) include estradiol and some nucleobases. The tendency for analytes with multiple active hydrogens to label just once with CAX (an advantage) is illustrated by the conversion of bisphenol A to a single product even when excess CAX-B is present. A family of analogous reagents with a variety of reactivity groups is anticipated as a consequence of replacing the bromine atom of CAX-B with various functional groups.

Malondialdehyde-deoxyguanosine adduct formation in workers of pathology wards: the role of air formaldehyde exposure.

Formaldehyde is an ubiquitous pollutant to which humans are exposed. Pathologists can experience high formaldehyde exposure levels. Formaldehyde-among other properties-induce oxidative stress and free radicals, which react with DNA and lipids, leading to oxidative damage and lipid peroxidation, respectively. We measured the levels of air-formaldehyde exposure in a group of Italian pathologists and controls. We analyzed the effect of formaldehyde exposure on leukocyte malondialdehyde-deoxyguanosine adducts (M(1)-dG), a biomarker of oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation. We studied the relationship between air-formaldehyde and M(1)-dG adducts. Air-formaldehyde levels were measured by personal air samplers. M(1)-dG adducts were analyzed by a (32)P-postlabeling assay. Reduction room pathologists were significantly exposed to air-formaldehyde with respect to controls and to the pathologists working in other laboratory areas (p < 0.001). A significant difference for M(1)-dG adducts between exposed pathologists and controls was found (p = 0.045). The effect becomes stronger when the evaluation of air-formaldehyde exposure was based on personal samplers (p = 0.018). Increased M(1)dG adduct levels were only found in individuals exposed to air-formaldehyde concentrations higher than 66 microg/m(3). When the exposed workers and controls were subgrouped according to smoking, M(1)-dG tended to increase in all of the subjects, but a significant association between M(1)-dG and air-formaldehyde was only found in nonsmokers (p = 0.009). Air-formaldehyde played a role positive but not significant (r = 0.355, p = 0.075, Pearson correlation) in the formation of M(1)-dG, only in nonsmokers. Working in the reduction rooms and exposure to air-formaldehyde concentrations higher than 66 microg/m(3) are associated with increased levels of M(1)-dG adducts.