AMPK promotes survival of c-Myc-positive melanoma cells by suppressing oxidative stress
Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
Although c-Myc is essential for melanocyte development, its role in cutaneous melanoma, the most aggressive skin cancer, is only partly understood. Here we used the NrasQ61KINK4a−/− mouse melanoma model to show that c-Myc is essential for tumor initiation, maintenance, and metastasis. c-Myc-expressing melanoma cells were preferentially found at metastatic sites, correlated with increased tumor aggressiveness and high tumor initiation potential. Abrogation of c-Myc caused apoptosis in primary murine and human melanoma cells. Mechanistically, c-Myc-positive melanoma cells activated and became dependent on the metabolic energy sensor AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a metabolic checkpoint kinase that plays an important role in energy and redox homeostasis under stress conditions. AMPK pathway inhibition caused apoptosis of c-Myc-expressing melanoma cells, while AMPK activation protected against cell death of c-Myc-depleted melanoma cells through suppression of oxidative stress. Furthermore, TCGA database analysis of early-stage human melanoma samples revealed an inverse correlation between C-MYC and patient survival, suggesting that C-MYC expression levels could serve as a prognostic marker for early-stage disease.
Original language | English |
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Article number | e97673 |
Journal | EMBO Journal |
Volume | 37 |
Issue number | 5 |
ISSN | 0261-4189 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1 Mar 2018 |
Externally published | Yes |
- AMPK, c-Myc, gene targeting, melanoma, oxidative stress
Research areas
ID: 238433940