Oncogenes in melanoma.
Transformation of normal melanocytes into melanoma cells is accomplished by the activation of growth stimulatory pathways, typically leading to cellular proliferation, and the inactivation of apoptotic and tumor suppressor pathways. Small molecule inhibitors of proteins in the growth stimulatory pathways are under active investigation, and their application to melanoma patients would represent a new treatment strategy to inhibit cell proliferation or induce cell death. We provide a general overview of the mechanisms of oncogene activation and the functions of oncogenes. Lastly, we review oncogenic events in melanoma.
Polsky
David
D
Department of Dermatology, New York University Medical Center, 550 First Avenue, New York, NY 10016, USA. David.Polsky@med.nyu.edu
Cordon-Cardo
Carlos
C
D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000235:genetics; D019938:Cyclin D1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016259:Genes, myc; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D009857:Oncogenes; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D051736:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
D006133:Growth Substances; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D017978:Receptors, Growth Factor; D019938:Cyclin D1; C497206:MDM2 protein, human; D051736:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2; D048493:Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf; D019908:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-raf; C495900:CDK4 protein, human; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases; D018631:ras Proteins