Melanocyte protein PMEL (gp100) epitope 25-33 (gp100 (25-33))

Melanocyte protein PMEL (gp100) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein primarily found in the melanosomes of melanocytes and is highly overexpressed in most melanoma cases (UniProt P40967). The gp100 25-33 epitope is a specific nonameric peptide (KVPRNQDWL) derived from the N-terminal region of the protein that is processed and presented by the HLA-A*02:01 major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecule (PubMed: 10449779). This epitope is recognized by the T-cell receptors (TCRs) of cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, making it a critical target for cancer immunotherapy (PubMed: 7524399). Therapeutic strategies targeting this epitope include peptide-based vaccines designed to stimulate an endogenous immune response and adoptive cell therapies using T cells engineered with high-affinity TCRs (ClinicalTrials.gov). While gp100 is a potent tumor-associated antigen, its expression in normal melanocytes of the skin, eye, and inner ear can lead to autoimmune side effects such as vitiligo or uveitis. Clinical development continues to focus on optimizing the immunogenicity of this epitope to improve outcomes in patients with advanced melanoma.

Other names

PMELSILVME20Premelanosome proteingp100:25-33KVPRNQDWL peptidegp10025-33

Induction of antigen-specific cytotoxic T-lymphocyte (CTL) response through MHC class I presentation.