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Role of TRPM in melanocytes and melanoma
Author(s) -
Guo Huazhang,
Carlson John Andrew,
Slominski Andrzej
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
experimental dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.108
H-Index - 96
eISSN - 1600-0625
pISSN - 0906-6705
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0625.2012.01565.x
Subject(s) - melanoma , biology , cancer research , transient receptor potential channel , trpm7 , exon , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , gene , receptor
Transient receptor potential ( TRP ) cation channel superfamily plays important roles in variety cellular processes including polymodal cellular sensing, cell adhesion, cell polarity, proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. One of its subfamilies are TRPM channels. mRNA expression of its founding member, TRPM 1 (melastatin), correlates with terminal melanocytic differentiation and loss of its expression has been identified as an important diagnostic and prognostic marker for primary cutaneous melanoma. Because TRPM 1 gene codes two transcripts: TRPM 1 channel protein in its exons and miR‐211 in one of its introns, we propose a dual role for TRPM 1 gene where the loss of TRPM 1 channel protein is an excellent marker of melanoma aggressiveness, while the expression of mi R ‐211 is linked to the tumor suppressor function of TRPM 1. In addition, three other members of this subfamily, TRPM 2, 7 and 8 are implicated in the regulation of melanocytic behaviour. TRPM 2 is capable of inducing melanoma apoptosis and necrosis. TRPM 7 can be a protector and detoxifier in both melanocytes and melanoma cells. TRPM 8 can mediate agonist‐induced melanoma cell death. Therefore, we propose that TRPM 1, TRPM 2, TRPM 7 and TRPM 8 play crucial roles in melanocyte physiology and melanoma oncology and are excellent diagnostic markers and theraputic targets.