Melanopsin (Opn4) is an oncogene in cutaneous melanoma.

ABSTRACT: The search for new therapeutical targets for cutaneous melanoma and other cancers is an ongoing task. We expanded this knowledge by evaluating whether opsins, light- and thermo-sensing proteins, could display tumor-modulatory effects on melanoma cancer. Using different experimental approaches, we show that melanoma cell proliferation is slower in the absence of Opn4, compared to Opn4^WT due to an impaired cell cycle progression and reduced melanocyte inducing transcription factor (Mitf) expression. In vivo tumor progression of Opn4^KO cells is remarkably reduced due to slower proliferation, and higher immune system response in Opn4^KO tumors. Using pharmacological assays, we demonstrate that guanylyl cyclase activity is impaired in Opn4^KO cells. Eva

SUBMITTER: de Assis LVM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9106662 | biostudies-literature | 2022 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature