BRN2 and MITF together impact AXL expression in melanoma. Issue 1 (20th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Simmons, Jacinta L.; Neuendorf, Hannah M.; Boyle, Glen M.
• Other Names: Haass Nikolas guestEditor.; Bedogni Barbara guestEditor.
• Is Part Of: Experimental dermatology. Volume 31:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 93
• Publication Date: 2020-11-20
• Subjects: Dermatology -- Periodicals; 616.5
• DOI: 10.1111/exd.14225
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0906-6705

Abstract

Abstract: The inverse relationship between transcription factor MITF and receptor tyrosine kinase AXL has received much attention recently. It is thought that melanoma tumors showing AXL high /MITF low levels are resistant to therapy. We show here that a population of cells within melanoma tumors with extremely high expression of AXL are negative/low for both MITF and the transcription factor BRN2. Depletion of both transcription factors from cultured melanoma cell lines produced an increase in AXL expression greater than depletion of MITF alone. Further, re‐expression of BRN2 led to decreased AXL expression, indicating a role for BRN2 in regulation of AXL levels unrelated to effects on MITF level. As AXL has been recognized as a marker of therapy resistance, these cells may represent a population of cells responsible for disease relapse and as potential targets for therapeutic treatment.