Antagonism of HOX/PBX dimer formation blocks the in vivo proliferation of melanoma.
Malignant melanoma is a cancer that arises from melanocyte cells in a complex but well-studied process, and which can only be successfully treated prior to metastasis as it is highly resistant to conventional therapies. A number of recent reports have indicated that members of the HOX family of homeodomain-containing transcription factors are deregulated in melanoma, and may actually be required to maintain proliferation. In this report, we describe the use of a novel, cell-permeable antagonist of the interaction between HOX proteins and PBX, a second homeodomain-containing transcription factor that modifies HOX activity. This antagonist can block the growth of murine B16 cells and trigger apoptosis both in vitro and in vivo when administered to mice with flank tumors.
Morgan
Richard
R
Postgraduate Medical School, University of Surrey, Guildford, United Kingdom. r.morgan@surrey.ac.uk
Pirard
Patricia Macanas
PM
Shears
Liesl
L
Sohal
Jastinder
J
Pettengell
Ruth
R
Pandha
Hardev S
HS
D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000502:physiology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism*; D051379:Mice; D010455:Peptides / Q000138:chemical synthesis / Q000494:pharmacology*; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000737:chemistry
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; C522972:HXR9 peptide; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D036341:Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins; D010455:Peptides; D014157:Transcription Factors