RESUMO
Targeting the MAPK signaling pathway has transformed the treatment of metastatic melanoma. CRISPR-Cas9 genetic screens provide a genome-wide approach to uncover novel genetic dependencies that might serve as therapeutic targets. Here, we analyzed recently reported CRISPR-Cas9 screens comparing data from 28 melanoma cell lines and 313 cell lines of other tumor types in order to identify fitness genes related to melanoma. We found an average of 1,494 fitness genes in each melanoma cell line. We identified 33 genes, inactivation of which specifically reduced the fitness of melanoma. This set of tumor type-specific genes includes established melanoma fitness genes as well as many genes that have not previously been associated with melanoma growth. Several genes encode proteins that can be targeted using available inhibitors. We verified that genetic inactivation of DUSP4 and PPP2R2A reduces the proliferation of melanoma cells. DUSP4 encodes an inhibitor of ERK, suggesting that further activation of MAPK signaling activity through its loss is selectively deleterious to melanoma cells. Collectively, these data present a resource of genetic dependencies in melanoma that may be explored as potential therapeutic targets.
Assuntos
Sistemas CRISPR-Cas , Fosfatases de Especificidade Dupla/antagonistas & inibidores , Técnicas de Inativação de Genes/métodos , Genoma Humano , Melanoma/patologia , Fosfatases da Proteína Quinase Ativada por Mitógeno/antagonistas & inibidores , Proteína Fosfatase 2/antagonistas & inibidores , Proliferação de Células , Fosfatases de Especificidade Dupla/genética , Fosfatases de Especificidade Dupla/metabolismo , Humanos , Melanoma/genética , Melanoma/metabolismo , Fosfatases da Proteína Quinase Ativada por Mitógeno/genética , Fosfatases da Proteína Quinase Ativada por Mitógeno/metabolismo , Proteína Fosfatase 2/genética , Proteína Fosfatase 2/metabolismo , Células Tumorais CultivadasRESUMO
Aim: To evaluate CpG methylation of long interspersed nuclear elements 1 (LINE-1) and human endogenous retrovirus K (HERV-K) retroelements as potential prognostic biomarkers in cutaneous melanoma. Materials & methods: Methylation of HERV-K and LINE-1 retroelements was assessed in resected melanoma tissues from 82 patients ranging in age from 14 to 88 years. In addition, nevi from eight patients were included for comparison with nonmalignant melanocytic lesions. Results: Methylation levels were lower in melanomas than in nevi. HERV-K and LINE-1 methylation were decreased in melanoma patients with clinical parameters associated with adverse prognosis, while they were independent of age and gender. Hypomethylation of HERV-K (but not LINE-1) was an independent predictor of reduced disease-free survival. Conclusion: HERV-K hypomethylation can be a potential independent biomarker of melanoma recurrence.