MicroRNA in malignant melanoma

MicroRNAs作为重要的基因表达调节剂，在肿瘤的发生和发展中发挥着重要作用。近年来的研究确定了几种癌症的肿瘤亚群的分子靶点，包括恶性黑色素瘤，这是最致命的皮肤癌。在我们继续进行的项目中，我们的目标是跟踪mirna及其靶标，这些靶标在上一个成功的资助期内被表征。我们在定义的模型系统中发现了mirna，这些mirna在黑色素瘤中不受调节，现在将在功能分析中跟踪这些mirna，并在体外和体内鉴定靶基因。我们的数据以及来自其他小组的研究清楚地表明，肿瘤抑制剂不仅通过调节一个靶基因，而且通过调节靶基因的子集，所有这些靶基因都对肿瘤的发生或进展有影响。了解这些调控途径是重要的，因为影响这个系统可以导致有效的治疗应用。特别是在没有BRAF突变或复发的黑色素瘤患者中，仍然缺乏治疗选择，这些新的选择是非常有吸引力的。

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.