Transcription of prostanoid receptor genes and cyclooxygenase enzyme genes in cultivated human iridial melanocytes from eyes of different colours.

ABSTRACT

Several prostaglandin analogues used for glaucoma treatment have been shown to cause increased iridial pigmentation as side-effect. In the present study we identified the types of prostanoid receptors and cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that are expressed in human iridial melanocytes isolated from eyes of different colours. Iris specimens were obtained during trabeculectomy surgery, or from enucleated eyes, and the iridial melanocytes were isolated and cultivated. The transcription of the DP, EP1, EP2, EP3, EP4, FP, IP and TP prostanoid receptor genes as well as the COX-1 and COX-2 enzyme genes was investigated using reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Of the prostanoid receptors the FP receptor gene was found to be most consistently transcribed in the melanocytes isolated from both blue- and hazel-coloured eyes. No RNA of the DP, EP2 and TP receptor genes could be detected, whereas the EP1, EP3, EP4 and IP receptor genes were found to be transcribed in melanocytes from some eyes. The COX-2 gene was found to be transcribed, but the COX-1 gene less consistently. There was no difference in gene transcription pattern between melanocytes originating from eyes treated with latanoprost, and eyes not previously treated with the prostaglandin. These results indicate that the FP prostanoid receptor gene is transcribed in cultivated human iridial melanocytes of both blue and hazel eyes, whereas the other prostanoid receptor genes seem to be transcribed much less frequently, or not at all. Surprisingly, the COX-2 rather than the COX-1 gene, was found to be transcribed in the melanocytes.