ADAPTIVE RESPONSE OF HUMAN-MELANOMA CELLS TO METHYLGLYOXAL INJURY

The effects of methylglyoxal on the growth of a line of human melanoma tells are investigated. Methylglyoxal inhibits cell growth in a dose- dependent manner and causes an increase in glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase, and glyoxalase 1 and glyoxalase 2 specific activities. The cellular response to increasing concentrations of methylglyoxal in the culture medium is also studied by measuring L-lactate production, reduced-oxidized glutathione levels and apoptotic cell death. Methylg lyoxal seems to promote a change of cell population phenotypic reperto ire toward a more monomorphic phenotype. In conclusion, methylglyoxal seems to induce an enzymatic cellular response that lowers methylglyox al levels and selects the most resistant cells.