MIA protein.MIA (Melanoma Inhibitory Activity Protein) acts as a potent tumor cell growth inhibitor for malignant melanomacells and some other neuroectodermal tumors, includinggliomas, in an autocrine fashion. In a study of humanmelanoma cell lines with different metastatic capacity MIAmRNA expression appeared to be inversely correlatedwith pigmentation. MIA has been shown to representa very sensitive and specific serum marker for systemicmalignant melanoma that might be useful for staging ofprimary melanomas, detection of progression from localized to metastatic disease during follow-up, and monitoring therapy of advanced melanomas.Recombinant human MIA produced in E. coli is a single,non-glycosylated, polypeptide chain consisting of 108amino acids having a total molecular mass of 12.237kDa. MIA was identified as an inhibitor of in vitro growthof malignant melanoma cells. The protein contains a SH3domain. Human Melanoma Inhibitory protein is purifiedby proprietary chromatographic techniques. MW: 12 kDa. Purity > 95% pure by SDS-PAGE and RP-HPLC