DUSP4 protects BRAF- and NRAS-mutant melanoma from oncogene overdose through modulation of MITF.

ABSTRACT: MAPK inhibitors (MAPKi) remain an important component of the standard of care for metastatic melanoma. However, acquired resistance to these drugs limits their therapeutic benefit. Tumor cells can become refractory to MAPKi by reactivation of ERK. When this happens, tumors often become sensitive to drug withdrawal. This drug addiction phenotype results from the hyperactivation of the oncogenic pathway, a phenomenon commonly referred to as oncogene overdose. Several feedback mechanisms are involved in regulating ERK signaling. However, the genes that serve as gatekeepers of oncogene overdose in mutant melanoma remain unknown. Here, we demonstrate that depletion of the ERK phosphatase, DUSP4, leads to toxic levels of MAPK activation in both drug-naive and drug-resistant mutant melanoma cells

SUBMITTER: Gutierrez-Prat N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9113946 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature