Novel somatic mutations in heterotrimeric G proteins in melanoma.

Abstract

Heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins) mediate signals between G-protein coupled receptors and their downstream pathways, and have been shown to be mutated in cancer. In particular, GNAQ was found to be frequently mutated in blue nevi of the skin and uveal melanoma, acting as an oncogene in its mutated form. To further examine the role of heterotrimeric G proteins in malignant melanoma, we performed a comprehensive mutational analysis of the 35 genes in the heterotrimeric G protein gene family in a panel of 80 melanoma samples. Somatic alterations in a G protein subunit were detected in 17% of samples spanning 7 genes. The highest rates of somatic, non-synonymous mutations were found in GNG10 and GNAZ, neither of which has been previously reported to be mutated in melanoma. Our study is the first systematic analysis of the heterotrimeric G proteins in melanoma and indicates that multiple mutated heterotrimeric G proteins may be involved in melanoma progression.

• Authors: L Isabel Cárdenas-Navia, Pedro Cruz, Jimmy C Lin, NISC Comparative Sequencing Program, Steven A Rosenberg, Yardena Samuels
• Journal: Cancer biology & therapy (Cancer Biol Ther) Vol. 10 Issue 1 Pg. 33-7 (Jul 01 2010) ISSN: 1555-8576 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 20424519 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural)

Chemical References

• DNA, Neoplasm
• Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins

Topics

• DNA Mutational Analysis
• DNA, Neoplasm (genetics)
• Heterotrimeric GTP-Binding Proteins (genetics)
• Humans
• Melanoma (genetics, pathology)
• Mutation (genetics)
• Polymerase Chain Reaction
• Signal Transduction
• Skin Neoplasms (genetics, pathology)