Author(s)

Jonathan L. Curry, Carlos A. Torres-Cabala, Carla L. Warneke, Peter Zhang, Victor G. Prieto

Departments of Biostatistics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.
Departments of Pathology and Dermatology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, USA.

Melanocytic nevi are a transient in vivo proliferation of melanocytes that after time undergo cellular senescence. Most nevi harbor B-Raf mutations, which appear to activate cellular mechanisms of senescence in melanocytes. Glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK-3β), a critical downstream effector of the AKT signaling pathway, is involved in the development of melanoma and has been associated with senescence in melanocytes. Our immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence studies revealed distinct, perinuclear, dot-like reactivity of GSK-3β in melanocytic nevi. Furthermore, our tissue microarray analysis demonstrated significant perinuclear dot-like sublocalization of GSK-3β in melanocytic nevi compared with the amount of GSK-3β observed in melanoma (P < 0.0019). In summary, the subcellular localization of GSK-3β in human nevi may contribute to senescence in melanocytes.

GSK-3β; Nevi; Melanoma; Senescence

J. L. Curry, C. A. Torres-Cabala, C. L. Warneke, P. Zhang and V. G. Prieto, "Distinct Subcellular Localization of GSK-3β in Melanocytic Nevi: Implications in Melanocyte Senescence," Open Journal of Pathology, Vol. 2 No. 4, 2012, pp. 113-119. doi: 10.4236/ojpathology.2012.24021.