Dermal Cell News Volume 3.17 | May 15 2017

TOP STORY

RAF Proteins Exert Both Specific and Compensatory Functions during Tumor Progression of NRAS-Driven Melanoma

Using conditional ablation of Raf genes in NRAS-induced mouse melanoma models, researchers investigated their contribution in tumor progression, from the onset of benign tumors to malignant tumor maintenance. [Nat Commun] Full Article

(Ranked by impact factor of the journal)

DERMAL STEM CELLS & TISSUE REGENERATION

Novel Regulation of Melanogenesis by Adiponectin via the AMPK/CRTC Pathway

Given that AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key adiponectin signaling mediator, scientists investigated the role of adiponectin and AICAR, a cell-permeable AMPK activator, in melanogenesis. They herein showed that adiponectin and AICAR downregulated MITF, tyrosinase, TRP-1, and DCT expression and reduced melanin content in normal human and mouse melanocytes. [Pigment Cell Melanoma Res] Abstract

miR-330 Inhibits IL-22-Induced Keratinocyte Proliferation through Targeting CTNNB1

The authors indicated that microRNA (miR)-330 expression in lesion tissue of psoriasis patients was specifically down-regulated, and could inhibit interleukin-22 (IL-22)-induced proliferation of HaCaT and HKC cell. [Biomed Pharmacother] Abstract

SKIN CANCERS & DISORDERS

Anti-Tumor Effects of Differentiation-Inducing Factor-1 in Malignant Melanoma: GSK-3-Mediated Inhibition of Cell Proliferation and GSK-3-Independent Suppression of Cell Migration and Invasion

To evaluate differentiation-inducing factor-1 (DIF-1) as a novel anti-cancer agent for malignant melanoma, the authors examined whether DIF-1 has anti-proliferative, anti-migratory, and anti-invasive effects on melanoma cells using in vitro and in vivo systems. [Biochem Pharmacol] Abstract

The HLA-DR Mediated Signaling Increases the Migration and Invasion of Melanoma Cells, the Expression and Lipid Raft Recruitment of Adhesion Receptors, PD-L1 and Signal Transduction Proteins

In two major histocompatibility complex class II constitutive expressing melanoma cell lines, investigators studied the signaling mediated by the HLA-DR molecules in the aim to understand the consequence of class II mediated signaling on metastatic dissemination of melanoma. [Cell Signal] Abstract

Dihydromyricetin Induces Apoptosis and Cytoprotective Autophagy through ROS-NF-κB Signaling in Human Melanoma Cells

The authors investigated the effect of dihydromyricetin (DHM) on human melanoma cells. Apart from induction of apoptosis, they demonstrated that DHM induced an autophagic response. [Free Radic Res] Abstract

Identification of ACA-28, a 1′-Acetoxychavicol Acetate Analogue Compound, as a Novel Modulator of ERK MAPK Signaling, which Preferentially Kills Human Melanoma Cells

Researchers carried out a chemical genetic screen using a fission yeast phenotypic assay and showed that ACA-28, a synthetic derivative of 1′-acetoxychavicol acetate (ACA), which is a natural ginger compound, effectively inhibited the growth of melanoma cancer cells wherein ERK MAPK signaling is hyperactivated due to mutations in the upstream activating regulators. [Genes Cells] Abstract

Long Noncoding RNA HEIH Promotes Melanoma Cell Proliferation, Migration and Invasion via Inhibiting miR-200b/a/429

Scientists found that long noncoding RNA-HEIH is highly expressed in melanoma tissues and cell lines, associated with advanced clinical stages, and predicts poor outcome of melanoma patients. [Biosci Rep] Abstract | Full Article

Cyclic AMP-Epac Signaling Pathway Contributes to Repression of PUMA Transcription in Melanoma Cells

The authors showed that blockade of cAMP signaling using MDL12330A led to an increase in PUMA transcript levels, but not p21 in melanoma cells. cAMP downstream component Epac activation was essential for suppression of PUMA transcription as an Epac agonist reversed the effects of MDL12330A. [Melanoma Res] Abstract

Paracrine Regulation of Melanogenesis

The authors provide an overview of recent advances in the intimate relationships between melanocytes and their surrounding elements, which provide insights into the complex nature of the regulation of melanogenesis. [Br J Dermatol] Abstract

Visit our reviews page to see a complete list of reviews in the dermal cell research field.

Santalis Pharmaceuticals Enrolls First U.S. Subject into a Phase II Clinical Study of Mild to Moderate Atopic Dermatitis

Santalis Pharmaceuticals has announced enrollment of the first U.S. subject into a multi-center, placebo-controlled, double-blind, safety, tolerability and efficacy study of a unique 5% Sandalwood Album Oil, also known as East Indian Sandalwood Oil, cream formulation for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, also known as eczema. [Santalis Pharmaceuticals] Press Release

Initial Pre-Emergency Use Authorization Submission Made to U.S. FDA for Use of ReCell^® in a Mass Casualty Scenario

Avita Medical Limited has received notification of the initial FDA review of the Pre-Emergency Use Authorization submission to allow the emergency deployment of its ReCell^® device for a mass casualty event involving burn injuries. [Avita Medical Limited] Press Release

Revamped ‘Anti-Science’ Education Bills in United States Find Success

State and local legislatures in the United States are experimenting with new ways to target the topics taught in science classes, and it seems to be paying dividends. Florida’s legislature approved a bill that would enable residents to challenge what educators teach students. [Nature News] Editorial

China Cracks Down on Fake Data in Drug Trials

Those who submit faked clinical trial data might now go to jail — and in extreme circumstances, be executed — under a new interpretation of China’s criminal code. The policy shift is one of a handful of measures that China is implementing both to speed up its notoriously slow drug-approval process and to keep dangerous and ineffective drugs off the market. [Nature News] Editorial

NEW Summit for Cancer Immunotherapy 2017
June 25-28, 2017
Gatineau, Canada

Visit our events page to see a complete list of events in the community.

NEW Professorship – Cancer Genomics (Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne)

NEW Postdoctoral Position – RNA Bioinformatics and Neurotranscriptomics (University of Copenhagen)

NEW Postdoctoral Program – Melanoma (European Molecular Biology Laboratory)

Postdoctoral Fellowship(s) – Cutaneous Biology (University of Michigan)

Laboratory Research Scientist – Skin Cancer (The Francis Crick Institute)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Skin Stem Cells (Columbia University Medical Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Melanoma Cancer Immunotherapies (University of Gothenburg, Institute of Biomedicine)

Postdoctoral Researcher – Immunopeptidomics (University of Oxford)

Postdoctoral Fellowship – Adipocytes in Melanoma (Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center)

Postdoctoral Fellow – Melanoma (Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai)

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