Depletion of p42.3 gene inhibits proliferation and invasion in melanoma cells.
PURPOSE
The p42.3 gene is identified recently, and the upregulated expression has been characterized in a variety of human cancers and embryonic tissues but not yet in malignant melanoma. In this study, we explored the role of p42.3 gene in the development of melanoma.


METHODS
The expression of p42.3 was detected by immunohistochemistry staining of 261 cases of patient lesions, including nevi and melanoma, and its correlation with clinical pathological characteristics and prognosis was analyzed. Furthermore, a series of in vitro assays were used to investigate the biological function of p42.3 in melanoma cells.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemistry staining showed an elevated expression level of p42.3 in melanoma compared to nevi (P = 0.001). Statistical analysis indicated that this high level was well correlated with patients' clinical stage (P = 0.045), but not with gender, age, clinical type, mitotic rate, and overall survival (P > 0.05). Moreover, in vitro assays showed knockdown p42.3 gene expression could inhibit the biological profiling, including proliferation, migration, and invasion of melanoma cells, and also affect PI3K/Akt pathway, MAPK pathway, and β-catenin.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that p42.3, acting like an oncogene, is involved in the malignant transformation process of melanoma and may serve as a biomarker for diagnostic and treatment purposes.
['Liu|Hui|H|', 'Zhu|Min|M|', 'Li|Zhongwu|Z|', 'Wang|Yan|Y|', 'Xing|Rui|R|', 'Lu|Youyong|Y|', 'Xue|Weicheng|W|']
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins D049109:Cell Proliferation D005260:Female D020868:Gene Silencing D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008545:Melanoma D008875:Middle Aged D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness D009687:Nuclear Proteins
p42.3 gene Proliferation Melanoma Clinical stage Migration and invasion