Identification of Rho GTPases implicated in terminal differentiation of muscle cells in ascidia.

Background Information: Members of the Rho GTPase family mediate changes in the actin cytoskeleton and are also implicated in developmental processes, including myogenesis. Nevertheless, a comprehensive analysis of these proteins during myofibrillogenesis has never been performed in any organism.

Results: Using the ascidian model to identify the role of Rho GTPases on myofibrillogenesis, we show that transcripts for all Rho GTPases are detected in muscle cells of the embryo.

Malignant melanoma in non-Caucasians: experience from Hawaii.

Data from the Hawaii Tumor Registry suggest that the incidence of melanoma in the non-Caucasian population of Hawaii is not substantially different from that of the remainder of the United States. Our experience indicates that melanoma in this population, although unusual, is not rare. Although lesions on the palms and soles are more common.