RUNX2 is overexpressed in melanoma cells and mediates their migration and invasion

Cancer Lett. 2014 Jun 28;348(1-2):61-70. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2014.03.011. Epub 2014 Mar 18.

Abstract

In the present study, we investigated the role of the transcription factor RUNX2 in melanomagenesis. We demonstrated that the expression of transcriptionally active RUNX2 was increased in melanoma cell lines as compared with human melanocytes. Using a melanoma tissue microarray, we showed that RUNX2 levels were higher in melanoma cells as compared with nevic melanocytes. RUNX2 knockdown in melanoma cell lines significantly decreased Focal Adhesion Kinase expression, and inhibited their cell growth, migration and invasion ability. Finally, the pro-hormone cholecalciferol reduced RUNX2 transcriptional activity and decreased migration of melanoma cells, further suggesting a role of RUNX2 in melanoma cell migration.

Keywords: Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3); FAK; Melanoma; Migration; RUNX2; Transcription factor.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Cell Line, Tumor
  • Cell Movement* / drug effects
  • Cell Proliferation
  • Cholecalciferol / pharmacology
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / genetics
  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit / metabolism*
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / genetics
  • Melanoma / genetics
  • Melanoma / metabolism*
  • Melanoma / pathology
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Promoter Regions, Genetic
  • RNA Interference
  • Signal Transduction
  • Skin Neoplasms / genetics
  • Skin Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology
  • Tissue Array Analysis
  • Transcription, Genetic
  • Transfection
  • Up-Regulation

Substances

  • Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit
  • RUNX2 protein, human
  • Cholecalciferol
  • Focal Adhesion Kinase 1
  • PTK2 protein, human
  • Matrix Metalloproteinase 13