Mole and Melanoma: A Tale of Two Melanocytes
Mole and melanoma are both melanocytes that turn separate ways when given the same genetic mutation: one stops growing turning into a benign mole while the other gets out of control developing into melanoma.
Melanoma is a cancer that develops from pigment-producing cells in the skin called melanocytes – thereby can be deadly.
Now, researchers at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) discovered a protein that stops the growth of melanoma - led by Michael Green.
Green and his colleagues began by designing experiments that would help them determine what separates melanomas from ordinary moles at the genetic level.
Moles, also known as nevi, and melanoma often result from the same genetic mutation, and the biological pathway that differentiates the two had been a mystery.
The new study uncovers a relatively unknown protein that regulates the melanocyte’s “decision” to ward off cancer by either entering a programmed hibernation or committing suicide.
The findings - identification of the genetic underpinnings of a new way to thwart one of the deadliest forms of cancer – have been reported by the team in the February 8, 2008, issue of the journal Cell.
Find more details from the HHMI News.
Tags: melanocytes, mole melanoma, skin-cancerRelated Stories
POSTED IN: on skin cancer
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