Functional Test of a Naturally Occurred Tumor Modifier Gene Provides Insights to Melanoma Development

Abstract

TheXiphophorusgenus has long been studied for its development of melanoma.xmrkhas been identified as a potent oncogene. The recent discovery ofadgre5as a candidate tumor regulator gene in naturally hybridizingXiphophorus birchmanniandX. malinchehas shed new light on the genetic basis of melanoma. This study aimed to functionally test the role of theadgre5alleles from each hybridizing species by analyzing their effect independently on cell growth and migrationin vitroand melanoma developmentin vivo. In vitroexperiments showed that cells with theX. birchmanniallele grew and migrated slower than those with theX. malincheallele.In vivoexperiments using transgenic medaka confirmed that melanoma development was only inhibited in the presence of theX. birchmanniallele of adgre5. These findings provide new insights into the genetic basis of melanoma development in Xiphophorus and highlight the importance ofadgre5as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of melanoma.