This antibody cocktail recognizes two melanoma-specific proteins, which include MART-1 and gp100. MART-1 is a newly identified melanocyte differentiation antigen recognized by autologous cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Function of gp100 is not known but it is reported to be a useful marker for melanocytes and melanomas. A cocktail of these two markers is sensitive for labeling formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded melanomas and other tumors showing melanocytic differentiation.
