title: Collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 promotes melanoma cell adhesion and survival.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The extracellular protein collagen triple helix repeat containing 1 (CTHRC1) is aberrantly upregulated in melanoma and most human solid cancers. However, its role in cancer remains unknown.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  In this study, we investigated the functional impact of CTHRC1 on melanoma cells in vitro.
  
  
  METHODS
  Stable clones of cultured melanoma cells expressing different amounts of CTHRC1 protein were generated and evaluated to characterize their growth, survival, and attachment ability as well as their sensitivity to chemotherapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In cultured MMAN and MMRU melanoma cells, increased expression of CTHRC1 protein resulted in morphologic cell changes, enhanced cell adhesion to culture surfaces, increased cell proliferation, and decreased apoptosis. Furthermore, decreased CTHRC1 expression through antisense inhibition enhanced temozolomide sensitivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CTHRC1 expression influences cellular processes, including cell adhesion and survival. Additionally, CTHRC1 inhibition may represent a potential method for decreasing melanoma resistance to conventional chemotherapy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
authors.forename: Wency
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ip
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Wellman-Labadie
authors.forename: Liren
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Mingwan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Jan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dutz
authors.forename: Yuzhuo
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Shengquan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Xuejun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Changzheng
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Youwen
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000494:pharmacology; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D003606:Dacarbazine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D000077204:Temozolomide; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; C502426:CTHRC1 protein, human; D016326:Extracellular Matrix Proteins; D003606:Dacarbazine; D000077204:Temozolomide