Melanoma Inhibitory Activity Protein 3 (MIA3)

TANGO expression was reduced in human melanoma tissues and in melanoma cell lines. The reduction was greater in distant tissue metastases and in cell lines derived from malignant melanomas. Functional assays revealed that induced TANGO expression resulted in significantly decreased cell motility and invasive potential. In contrast, knockdown of TANGO expression via small interfering RNA promoted cell invasion and migration.The deduced 125-amino acid protein encodes a hydrophobic secretory signal sequence. RT-PCR analysis and RNA dot-blot analysis revealed widespread TANGO expression, with highest levels in prostate, testis, heart, and liver, and little to none in spleen, bone marrow, and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. In situ hybridization of mouse embryos revealed very early and widespread Tango expression.