Abstract
SummaryMalignant melanoma is a neoplasm of melanocytes, and the microphthalmia‐associated transcription factor (MITF) is essential for the existence of melanocytes. MITF's relevance for this cell lineage is maintained in melanoma, where it is an important regulator of survival and balances melanoma cell proliferation with terminal differentiation (pigmentation). The MITF gene is amplified in ~20% of melanomas and MITF mutation can predispose to melanoma development. Furthermore, the regulation of MITF expression and function is strongly linked to the BRAF/MEK/ERK/MAP‐kinase (MAPK) pathway, which is deregulated in >90% of melanomas and central target of current therapies. MITF expression in melanoma is heterogeneous, and recent findings highlight the relevance of this heterogeneity for the response of melanoma to MAPK pathway targeting drugs, as well as for MITF's role in melanoma progression. This review aims to provide an updated overview on the regulation of MITF function and plasticity in melanoma with a focus on its link to MAPK signaling.
Highlights
microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is a lineage commitment factor essential for propagation of the melanocyte lineage in early development, and importantly, this role is maintained in melanoma cells
Malignant melanoma is a neoplasm of melanocytes, and the microphthalmia-associated transcription factor (MITF) is essential for the existence of melanocytes
MITF’s relevance for this cell lineage is maintained in melanoma, where it is an important regulator of survival and balances melanoma cell proliferation with terminal differentiation
Summary
EMAIL ALERTS Receive free email alerts and stay up-to-date on what is published in Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research – click here. Subscribe to PCMR and stay up-to-date with the only journal committed to publishing basic research in melanoma and pigment cell biology As a member of the IFPCS or the SMR you automatically get online access to PCMR. Sign up as a member today at www.ifpcs.org or at www.societymelanomaresarch.org. To take out a personal subscription, please click here More information about Pigment Cell & Melanoma Research at www.pigment.org. Manchester Cancer Research Centre, Wellcome Trust Centre for Cell Matrix Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK. KEYWORDS melanoma/microphthalmia-associated transcription factor/MAP kinase pathway/BRAF/ MEK.
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