Specificity
This antibody binds Melanoma Associated Antigen, a glycoprotein of 100 + 7 kDa dispersed in the cytoplasma of melanoma cells, and is more concentrated inside vacuoles and sometimes on the melanosomes. Occasionally the antigen is seen on the cell surface. The antigen is actively shed from living cells. The antibody reacts with melanomas, clear cell sarcomas (melanoma of soft tissue), nevocellular nevi, and normal melanocytes. Except for one case of non Hodgkin's lymphoma in which macrophages were positive, the antigen has not been detected with other tumors or tissues observed.
