TISSUE-SPECIFIC EXPRESSION OF AN ANTI-RAS RIBOZYME INHIBITS PROLIFERATION OF HUMAN-MALIGNANT MELANOMA-CELLS

In this study, we have compared the efficacy of a tissue-specific prom oter (tyrosinase promoter) with a viral promoter to express anti-ras r ibozyme RNA in human melanoma cells. The retroviral vector containing the tyrosinase promoter was superior in its ability to suppress the hu man melanoma phenotype in vitro as characterized by changes in growth, melanin synthesis, morphology and H-ras gene expression. These data s upport the use of tissue-specific expression of anti-oncogene ribozyme s as a rational therapeutic strategy in human cancers.