{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"MART-1/Melan-A is a putative 18 kDa transmembrane protein consisting of 118 amino acids. It has a single transmembrane domain. MART-1/ Melan-A is a protein antigen found on melanocytes. Antibodies against this antigen are used to recognize cells of melanocytic differentiation, useful for the diagnosis of Melanoma."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"The same name is used to refer to the gene which codes for this antigen.\n The MART-1/Melan-A antigen is specific for the melanocyte lineage found in normal skin, retina, and melanocytes, but not in other normal tissues. It is thus useful as a marker for Melanocytic Tumors, with the caveat that it is normally found in benign nevi as well. This antibody is very useful in establishing the diagnosis of Metastatic Melanomas."}]}]}