Loss of E-cadherin Expression in Melanoma Cells Involves Up-regulation of the Transcriptional Repressor Snail

摘要: Malignant transformation of melanocytes frequently coincides with loss E-cadherin expression. Here we show that in melanoma cell lines does not involve mutations the gene, promoter methylation, or alterations expression AP-2 transcription factors as suggested previously. In a panel different lines, was negatively regulated by up-regulation factor Snail. comparison primary human melanocytes, where Snail detected reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, significant found all eight lines. parallel, Western blot and reaction analysis revealed strong reduction cells. Consistently, transient transfection plasmid into led to down-regulation E-cadherin, whereas stable an antisense construct induced reexpression Mel Ju Im melanomas. summary, conclude activation plays important role tumorigenesis malignant