The mechanism providing metastasis of melanoma is identified

Scientists at the University of Virginia (Virginia Commonwealth University) have established how the melanoma differentiation associated gene-9/syntenin (mda-9/syntenin) interacts with an important signaling protein, which contributes to the metastasis of melanoma cells. This discovery may give rise to the development of a new generation of anti-metastatic drugs for the treatment of melanoma and other malignant diseases.

Treatment of metastatic tumors is one of the most difficult tasks of oncology. With a stable localization of the tumor, doctors can surgically remove the affected area of tissue. However, metastasis of tumors to areas remote from the primary tumor significantly complicates surgical treatment and in many cases makes it practically ineffective.

Earlier studies have shown that mda-9/syntenin regulates cell motility and, by changing biochemical and signaling mechanisms, can endow them with the ability to metastasize. However, until now, the exact mechanisms underlying these processes were unknown.

The authors have deciphered the molecular mechanisms by which mda-9/syntenin provides invasion, migration, cell growth independent of intercellular interaction and metastasis. To ensure all these processes, mda-9/syntenin enters into physical interaction with c-Src, a key signaling protein involved in the growth and metastasis of tumor cells.

Experiments with a model of human metastatic melanoma have shown that mda-9/syntenin activates c-Src expression, which stimulates the formation of the FAK/c-Src signaling complex. According to the researchers, this interaction triggers a signaling cascade, which results in increased mobility, invasiveness and the ability of tumor cells to metastasize.

Mda-9/syntenin is a new potential molecular target for the treatment of melanoma, and possibly for other types of cancer, including breast and stomach cancers.

In the near future, the authors plan to search for and create small molecules capable of blocking the interaction of Mda-9/syntenin and c-Src. At the same time, work is already underway to study the role of this pair of molecules in the metastasis of other types of human cancer.

Portal "Eternal youth" http://vechnayamolodost.ru / based on ScienceDaily – Mechanism Used By Gene To Promote Metastasis In Human Cancer Cells Identified

03.10.2008