A Transcriptionally Inactive ATF2 Variant Drives Melanomagenesis.

ABSTRACT: Melanoma is one of the most lethal cutaneous malignancies, characterized by chemoresistance and a striking propensity to metastasize. The transcription factor ATF2 elicits oncogenic activities in melanoma, and its inhibition attenuates melanoma development. Here, we show that expression of a transcriptionally inactive form of Atf2 (Atf2(Δ8,9)) promotes development of melanoma in mouse models. Atf2(Δ8,9)-driven tumors show enhanced pigmentation, immune infiltration, and metastatic propensity. Similar to mouse Atf2(Δ8,9), we have identified a transcriptionally inactive human ATF2 splice variant 5 (ATF2(SV5)) that enhances the growth and migration capacity of cultured melanoma cells and immortalized melanocytes. ATF2(SV5) expression is elevated in human melanoma specimens and is associated wi

SUBMITTER: Claps G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4889472 | biostudies-literature | 2016 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature