title: Cyclic AMP (cAMP) signaling in melanocytes and melanoma.
abstract: G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs), which include melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R), play a crucial role in melanocytes development, proliferation and differentiation. Activation of the MC1R by the α-melanocyte stimulating hormone (α-MSH) leads to the activation of the cAMP signaling pathway that is mainly associated with differentiation and pigment production. Some MC1R polymorphisms produce cAMP signaling impairment and pigmentary phenotypes such as the red head color and fair skin phenotype (RHC) that is usually associated with higher risk for melanoma development. Despite its importance in melanocyte biology, the role of cAMP signaling cutaneous melanoma is not well understood. Melanoma is primarily driven by mutations in the components of mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) pathway. Increasing evidence, however, now suggests that cAMP signaling also plays an important role in melanoma even though genetic alterations in components of this pathway are note commonly found in melanoma. Here we review these new roles for cAMP in melanoma including its contribution to the notorious treatment resistance of melanoma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States.
authors.forename: Carlos Iván
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Rodríguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology and Molecular and Environmental Toxicology Graduate Program, University of Wisconsin, School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, WI 53706, United States. Electronic address: vsetaluri@dermatology.wisc.edu.
authors.forename: Vijayasaradhi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Setaluri
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism*; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D008544:Melanocytes / Q000378:metabolism*; D008545:Melanoma / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D044102:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1 / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D051739:Microphthalmia-Associated Transcription Factor; D044102:Receptor, Melanocortin, Type 1; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D010727:Phosphoric Diester Hydrolases; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases
keywords: Adenylate cyclases (ADCYs); Drug resistance; MAPK signaling; Melanocortin-1 receptor (MC1R); Phosphodiesterases (PDEs); cAMP Responsive Element Binding Protein (CREB)