Functional Regulation Triad of Mitosis, Apoptosis and Thigmotropism of Survivin in Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma

Abstract

Growth of sporadic Cutaneous Malignant Melanoma (CMM) depends on the combination of the mean tumoral cell cycle time, the growth fraction and the kinesis of the apoptotic programmed cell death. A series of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic regulators have been identified. This review discusses the established mitotic and cytoprotective properties of survivin, and its potential role in CMM development and progression. Other functional properties of survivin are considered, namely enhancement of cellular motility, and thigmotropism which underly the role of this inhibitor of apoptosis protein in promoting overt SMM metastases.