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Background Melanoma is a common type of skin cancer, and its incidence is increasing gradually. Exploring melanoma pathogenesis helps to find new treatments. Objective We aimed to explore the potential molecular mechanisms by which CREB1 regulates melanoma. Methods TransmiR and ALGGEN were used to predict targets of CREB1 in the promoter of miR-495-3p or miR-495-3p and KPNA2, and a dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to detect binding of CREB1 to these promoters. In addition, binding of CREB1 to the miR-495-3p promoter was confirmed by a ChIP assay. qRT‒PCR was carried out to detect mRNA levels of miR-495-3p, CREB1 and KPNA2. An EdU assay was conducted to detect cell viability. Transwell assays and flow cytometry were performed to assess cell migration and invasion and apoptosis, respectively. Moreover, factors associated with overall survival were analysed by using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results Our results show miR-495-3p to be significantly decreased in melanoma. Additionally, miR-495-3p overexpression inhibited melanoma cell viability. CREB1 targeted miR-495-3p, and CREB1 overexpression enhanced melanoma cell viability by inhibiting miR-495-3p transcription. Moreover, miR-495-3p targeted KPNA2, and CREB1 regulated KPNA2 by inhibiting miR-495-3p transcription to enhance melanoma cell viability. Conclusion CREB1 regulates KPNA2 by inhibiting miR-495-3p transcription to control melanoma progression. Our results indicate the molecular mechanism by which the CREB1/miR-495-3p/KPNA2 axis regulates melanoma progression.

Spi‐1 proto‐oncogene (SPI1) plays a vital role in carcinogenesis. Our work aimed to investigate the potential regulatory mechanism of SPI1 in melanoma. The mRNA and protein levels were measured via qRT–PCR and Western blotting. Cell viability was assessed by CCK‐8 assay. The target relationship between SPI1 and hexokinase 2 (HK2) was determined using dual‐luciferase reporter detection. ChIP was conducted to confirm the targeted relationship between SPI1 and the HK2 promoter. Immunohistochemistry analysis was conducted to measure the positive cell number of SPI1 and HK2 in melanoma tissues. The cell migration abilities were determined using a wound healing assay. Glucose consumption, pyruvate dehydrogenase activity, lactate production and ATP levels were measured to assess glycolysis. SPI1 transcription in melanoma cells and tissues was dramatically higher than that in adjacent normal tissues and epidermal melanocyte HEMa‐LP, respectively. Knockdown of SPI1 restrained cell viability, metastasis and glycolysis in melanoma cells. SPI1 directly targeted HK2, and knockdown of SPI1 repressed HK2 expression. Overexpression of HK2 weakened the inhibitory effects of SPI1 knockdown on the viability, metastasis and glycolysis of melanoma cells. The serine–threonine kinase 1 (AKT1)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) axis is involved in melanoma progression. SPI1 knockdown restrained melanoma cell proliferation, metastasis and glycolysis by regulating the AKT1/mTOR pathway.