Malignant melanoma cells spontaneously generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) that promote constitutive activation of the transcription factor nuclear factor-kB (NF-kB). Although antioxidants and inhibitors of NAD(P)H oxidases significantly reduce constitutive NF-kB activation and suppress cell proliferation, the nature of the enzyme responsible for ROS production in melanoma cells has not been determined. To address this issue, we now have characterized the source of ROS production in melanoma cells. ROS are generated by isolated, cytosol-free melanoma plasma membranes, with inhibition by NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors. The p22.sup.phox, gp91.sup.phox and p67.sup.phox components of the human phagocyte NAD(P)H oxidase, and the 91.sup.phox homolog NOX4 were demon-strated in melanomas by RT-PCR and sequencing, and protein product for both p22.sup.phox and gp91.sup.phox were detected in cell membranes by immunoassay. Normal human epidermal melanocytes expressed only p22.sup.phox and NOX4. Melanoma proliferation was reduced by NAD(P)H oxidase inhibitors and by transfection of antisense but not sense oligonucleotides for p22.sup.phox and NOX4. Also, the flavoprotein inhibitor diphenylene iodonium inhibited constitutive DNA binding of nuclear protein to the NF-kB and cyclic-AMP response element consensus oligonucleotides, without affecting DNA binding activity to AP-1 or OCT-1.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority to PCT International Application Number PCT/US02/41016 filed on Dec. 19, 2002 and to provisional application U.S. Ser. No. 60/342,839, filed on Dec. 21, 2001, which are incorporated herein by reference.
