Abstract: The present study was conducted to clarify the association of nm23 expression with metastatic potential in human malignant melanoma(MM).The expression of am23 gene was studied using immunohistochemical method in human malignant melanoma,and association of extent of expression of nm23/NDPK with histopathological classification,DNA contents and prognosis was analyzed.The expression of nm23/NDPK in patients with metastatic malignant melanoma and primary malignant melanoma with lymph node metastasis was significantly reduced than in patients without metastasis. The intensity of nm23/NDPK was negatively correlated with DNA contents and proliferation index,but not correlated with histopathological classification of tumor.Additionally patients with increased expression of nm23/NDPK may have longer survival time than patients with reduced expression.Our results implicated that the expression of nm23 gene may suppress the metastasis of malignant melanoma.The tumor With low nm23/NDPK level indicates a high metastatic potential.The mechanism of action of nm23 may modulate the polymerization of cellular microtuble in tumor cells.

Key words: Malignent melanoma, nm23 gene