MicroRNA in malignant melanoma

MicroRNAs作为重要的基因表达调控因子，在肿瘤的发生发展中起着重要的作用。近年来的研究确定了包括恶性黑色素瘤在内的几种癌症中一些肿瘤的分子靶点，恶性黑色素瘤是皮肤癌中最致命的一种。在我们继续的项目中，我们的目标是遵循miRNAs及其目标，这些目标在前一个成功的资助期具有特点。我们在已定义的黑色素瘤模型系统中发现了miRNAs，这些miRNAs在黑色素瘤中被解除调控，现在将在功能分析中跟踪这些miRNAs，并通过在体外和体内识别靶基因来进行研究。我们的数据以及来自其他小组的研究清楚地表明，Oncomires不仅通过调节一个靶基因，而且通过调节靶基因的子集而产生影响，所有这些都对肿瘤的发展或进展产生影响。了解这些调控途径具有重要意义，因为影响这一系统可能会导致有效的治疗应用。尤其是在黑色素瘤中，对于没有BRAF突变或复发后仍缺乏治疗选择的患者，这些新的选择非常有吸引力。

MicroRNAs as important modulators of gene expression were shown to play a main role in tumor development and progression. Studies of the recent years defined the molecular targets of a subset of the oncomirs in several kind of cancer including malignant melanoma, the deadliest form of skin cancer. In our continued project we aim to follow miRNAs and their targets which were characterized in the previous successful funding period. We revealed miRNAs in defined model systems which are deregulated in melanoma and will now follow these miRNAs in functional assays and by identifying target genes in vitro and in vivo. Our data as well as studies from other groups clearly demonstrated the impact of oncomirs by not only regulating one but a subset of target genes, all having an influence on tumor development or progression. Understanding these regulatory pathways is of main importance as influencing this system could result in an efficient therapeutic application. Especially in melanoma, still lacking therapeutic options for patients without BRAF mutation or after relapse, these new options are highly attractive.