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Systematic classification of melanoma cells by phenotype‐specific gene expression mapping
Author(s) -
Widmer Daniel S.,
Cheng Phil F.,
Eichhoff Ossia M.,
Belloni Benedetta C.,
Zipser Marie C.,
Schlegel Natalie C.,
Javelaud Delphine,
Mauviel Alain,
Dummer Reinhard,
Hoek Keith S.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
pigment cell and melanoma research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.618
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1755-148X
pISSN - 1755-1471
DOI - 10.1111/j.1755-148x.2012.00986.x
Subject(s) - phenotype , melanoma , biology , gene expression , gene , gene expression profiling , cancer research , genetics
Summary There is growing evidence that the metastatic spread of melanoma is driven not by a linear increase in tumorigenic aggressiveness, but rather by switching back and forth between two different phenotypes of metastatic potential. In vitro these phenotypes are respectively defined by the characteristics of strong proliferation/weak invasiveness and weak proliferation/strong invasiveness. Melanoma cell phenotype is tightly linked to gene expression. Taking advantage of this, we have developed a gene expression–based tool for predicting phenotype called Heuristic Online Phenotype Prediction. We demonstrate the predictive utility of this tool by comparing phenotype‐specific signatures with measurements of characteristics of melanoma phenotype‐specific biology in different melanoma cell lines and short‐term cultures. We further show that 86% of 536 tested melanoma lines and short‐term cultures are significantly associated with the phenotypes we describe. These findings reinforce the concept that a two‐state system, as described by the phenotype switching model, underlies melanoma progression.