The small MAF transcription factor MAFG co-opts MITF to promote melanoma progression.

ABSTRACT: Transcription factor deregulation potently drives melanoma progression by dynamically and reversibly controlling gene expression programs. We previously identified the small MAF family transcription factor MAFG as a putative driver of melanoma progression, prompting an in-depth evaluation of its role in melanoma. MAFG expression increases with human melanoma stages and ectopic MAFG expression enhances the malignant behavior of human melanoma cells in vitro, xenograft models, and genetic mouse models of spontaneous melanoma. Moreover, MAFG induces a melanoma phenotype switch from a melanocytic state to a more dedifferentiated state. Mechanistically, MAFG interacts with the lineage transcription factor MITF which is required for the pro-tumorigenic effects of MAFG. MAFG and MITF co-occupy nu

SUBMITTER: Vera O 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11398417 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature