MicroRNA in malignant melanoma

MicroRNA作为基因表达的重要调节剂，被证明在肿瘤的发生和进展中发挥着主要作用。近年来的研究确定了几种癌症中一部分癌瘤的分子靶点，其中包括恶性黑色素瘤（最致命的皮肤癌）。在我们持续的项目中，我们的目标是追踪 miRNA 及其靶点，这些靶点在之前成功的资助期间得到了表征。我们在确定的模型系统中揭示了在黑色素瘤中失调的 miRNA，现在将在功能测定中跟踪这些 miRNA，并通过体外和体内鉴定靶基因来追踪这些 miRNA。 我们的数据以及其他小组的研究清楚地证明了 oncomir 的影响不仅通过调节一个靶基因，而且通过调节靶基因的子集，所有这些都对肿瘤的发生或进展产生影响。了解这些调节途径至关重要，因为影响该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 突变或复发后的患者仍然缺乏治疗选择，这些新选择非常有吸引力。

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.