MicroRNA in malignant melanoma

microRNA作为基因表达的重要调节因子，在肿瘤的发生、发展过程中起着重要作用。近年来的研究确定了包括恶性黑色素瘤（最致命的皮肤癌形式）在内的几种癌症中的一部分oncomirs的分子靶点。在我们继续的项目中，我们的目标是跟踪miRNAs及其靶点，这些靶点在前一个成功的资助期内得到了表征。我们在定义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以及通过体外和体内鉴定靶基因来跟踪这些miRNA。 我们的数据以及来自其他小组的研究清楚地证明了oncomirs的影响，不仅调节一个靶基因，而且调节靶基因的一个子集，所有这些基因都对肿瘤的发展或进展产生影响。了解这些调节途径是非常重要的，因为影响这个系统可能会导致有效的治疗应用。特别是在黑色素瘤中，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.