Signalling pathways that control the migration of melanoblasts during development are thought to contribute to melanoma metastasis. Using mice, Lindsay et al. show that loss of Prex1, which encodes a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) specific for RAC, results in a defect in melanoblast migration during development. Furthermore, when Prex1−/− mice were crossed to a mouse model of melanoma in which the mice express mutant NRAS (NrasQ61K) and lack the tumour suppressor INK4A, those lacking PREX1 were resistant to metastasis. PREX1 was also upregulated in primary human melanomas and melanoma cell lines, and silencing of PREX1 expression or blocking its GEF activity inhibited invasion in vitro.
ORIGINAL RESEARCH PAPER
Lindsay, C. R. et al. P-Rex1 is required for efficient melanoblast migration and melanoma metastasis. Nature Commun. 22 Nov 2011 (doi:10.1038/ncomms1560)
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Seton-Rogers, S. An exchange factor drives metastasis. Nat Rev Cancer 12, 6 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc3202
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/nrc3202
