biostudies-literatureAmes HMNCI NIH HHS2113-20https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC3174286biostudies-literatureUnknown131(10)Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a neoplasm thought to originate from the neuroendocrine Merkel cells of the skin. Although the prevalence of MCC has been increasing, treatments for this disease remain limited because of a paucity of information regarding MCC biology. We have found that the endocytic oncoprotein Huntingtin-interacting protein 1 (HIP1) is expressed at high levels in ∼90% of MCC tumors and serves as a more reliable histological cytoplasmic stain than the gold standard, cytokeratin 20. Furthermore, high anti-HIP1 antibody reactivity in the sera of a cohort of MCC patients predicts the presence of metastases. Another protein that is frequently expressed at high levels in MCC tumors is the stem cell factor (SCF) receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Kit. In working toward an understanding of how HIP1 might contribute to MCC tumorigenesis, we have discovered that HIP1 interacts with SCF-activated c-Kit. These data not only identify HIP1 as a molecular marker for management of MCC patients but also show that HIP1 interacts with and slows the degradation of c-Kit.The Journal of investigative dermatologyHuntingtin-interacting protein 1: a Merkel cell carcinoma marker that interacts with c-Kit.PMC3174286P30 CA046592R01 CA098730-01R01 CA082363-01A1R01 CA087837R01 CA82363-03R01 CA098730-05A1R01 CA098730R01 CA082363Ross TSAmes HMBichakjian CKVerhaegen MEDlugosz AALiu GYFullen DRJohnson TMOravecz-Wilson KIfalseHuntingtin-interacting protein 1: a Merkel cell carcinoma marker that interacts with c-Kit.Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a neoplasm thought to originate from the neuroendocrine Merkel cells of the skin. Although the prevalence of MCC has been increasing, treatments for this disease remain limited because of a paucity of information regarding MCC biology. We have found that the endocytic oncoprotein Huntingtin-interacting protein 1 (HIP1) is expressed at high levels in ∼90% of MCC tumors and serves as a more reliable histological cytoplasmic stain than the gold standard, cytokeratin 20. Furthermore, high anti-HIP1 antibody reactivity in the sera of a cohort of MCC patients predicts the presence of metastases. Another protein that is frequently expressed at high levels in MCC tumors is the stem cell factor (SCF) receptor tyrosine kinase, c-Kit. In working toward an understanding of how HIP1 might contribute to MCC tumorigenesis, we have discovered that HIP1 interacts with SCF-activated c-Kit. These data not only identify HIP1 as a molecular marker for management of MCC patients but also show that HIP1 interacts with and slows the degradation of c-Kit.2011-01-01T00:00:00Z2011 Oct2024-11-09T09:49:53.119Z2019-03-27T00:44:00ZS-EPMC31742862169788810.1038/jid.2011.171