Abstract: Objective To investigate the immortalization of human melanocytes by transfection with SV40 T antigen (SV40T). Methods By using Sofast^TM,a gene transfection reagent, the reconstructed eukaryotic expression vector SV40T-pEGFP was stably transfected into cultured primary human melanocytes, then the positive cells were selected with G418. After the positive cells were expanded in culture, the expression of SV40T gene was detected by RT-PCR and PCR, and the protein expression of SV40T by Western blotting. Results The genome DNA and total RNA were isolated from the positive cell clones, and a 288 bp fragment, which was specific for the SV40T antigen gene, was amplified. The results of immunohis-tochemistry and Western blotting confirmed the expression of SV40T protein in transfected cells. Conclusion SV40T antigen gene can successfully induce the immortalization of human melanocytes.

Key words: Melanocytes, Simian virus 40, Antigens, viral, tumor