title: Small molecule inhibition of cytoskeletal dynamics in melanoma tumors results in altered transcriptional expression patterns of key genes involved in tumor initiation and progression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rho kinase signaling plays an important role in the oncogenic process largely through its regulation of F-actin dynamics, and inhibition of this pathway results in reduction in tumor volume and metastasis across a number of tumor types. While the cytoskeletal-regulatory role of Rho kinase has been a topic of in-depth study, the mechanisms linking Rho kinase to altered gene expression are largely unknown.
  
  
  METHODS
  Global gene expression analysis was performed on melanoma tumors treated with sham or the small molecule inhibitor Y27632.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Inhibition of Rho kinase activity in melanoma tumors results in a statistically significant change in gene transcription of 94 genes, many of which are critically involved in tumor initiation and progression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In addition to regulating tumorigenesis through modulation of the phosphoproteome, Rho kinase signaling also contributes to the regulation of the tumor transcriptome.
authors.affiliation: Ghosh Science and Technology Center, Department of Biology, Worcester State University, Worcester, MA 01602 USA.
authors.forename: Carrie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Spencer
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Montalvo
authors.forename: Sarah R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: Brad A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Bryan
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000818:Animals; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002642:Chick Embryo; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D018450:Disease Progression; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000187:drug effects; D006801:Humans; D008546:Melanoma, Experimental / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D051379:Mice; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology*; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D011725:Pyridines; C108830:Y 27632; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases