Glycoprotein 100 antigen (gp100)

Glycoprotein 100 (gp100) is a 100 kDa glycosylated transmembrane protein found mainly in melanocytes and overexpressed in melanoma cells across all stages. It plays a critical role in the maturation of melanosomes, the organelles involved in melanin production and transport. Clinically, gp100 serves as a diagnostic marker for melanoma (via HMB-45 antibody) and as a therapeutic target: immunotherapies including TCR-mimetic agents (tebentafusp) and peptide-based vaccines specifically target gp100 to elicit tumor-selective immune responses. High gp100 expression in melanoma compared to limited normal tissue expression underpins its use as a cancer immunotherapy target, though safety concerns arise due to potential cytotoxicity to healthy melanocytes.

Other names

GP100gp100Premelanosome protein (PMEL)Silver locus protein homolog (SILV)

ImmTAC molecules (tebentafusp): recruit T cells to gp100-positive melanoma cells by recognizing gp100 HLA-presented peptides, promoting cytotoxicity; Cancer vaccines: stimulate antigen-specific cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) response against melanoma cells expressing gp100