Adaptive response of human melanoma cells to methylglyoxal injury

The effects of methylglyoxal on the growth of a line of human melanomacells are investigated. Methylglyoxal inhibits cell growth in a dose-dependent manner and causes an increase in glyceraldehyde 3-phosphatedehydrogenase, and glyoxalase 1 and glyoxalase 2 specific activities. Thecellular response to increasing concentrations of methylglyoxal in theculture medium is also studied by measuring L-lactate production,reduced-oxidized glutathione levels and apoptotic cell death. Methylglyoxalseems to promote a change of cell population phenotypic repertoire toward amore monomorphic phenotype. In conclusion, methylglyoxal seems to induce anenzymatic cellular response that lowers methylglyoxal levels and selectsthe most resistant cells.