Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 12, 2026
08:49
A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Embryonic and tumorigenic pathways converge via Nodal signaling: role in melanoma aggressiveness
Jolanta M Topczewska1, Lynne-Marie Postovit, Naira V Margaryan
1Program in Developmental Biology, Children's Memorial Research Center, Feinberg School of Medicine Northwestern University, 2300 Children's Plaza, Box 222, Chicago Illinois, 60614, USA.
Nature Medicine
|August 8, 2006
Summary
Aggressive melanoma cells secrete Nodal, an embryonic morphogen, driving tumor progression and plasticity. Inhibiting Nodal signaling reduces melanoma invasiveness and promotes reversion to a normal cell phenotype, revealing a new therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Biology
- Cancer Biology
- Melanoma Research
Background:
- Bidirectional cellular communication is crucial for both cancer progression and embryonic development.
- Aggressive tumor cells exhibit phenotypic plasticity, mirroring properties of embryonic cells.
- The developing zebrafish serves as a biosensor for tumor-derived signals due to cellular similarities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of embryonic morphogens in melanoma pathogenesis.
- To identify novel molecular targets for regulating melanoma progression and plasticity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized zebrafish as a biosensor to detect tumor-derived signals.
- Analyzed Nodal presence in human metastatic melanoma and normal skin.
- Assessed the impact of Nodal signaling inhibition on melanoma cell behavior.
Main Results:
- Aggressive melanoma cells secrete Nodal, inducing ectopic embryonic axis formation.
- Nodal is present in metastatic tumors but not normal skin, suggesting its role in melanoma.
- Nodal inhibition decreased melanoma cell invasiveness, colony formation, and tumorigenicity.
- Inhibition of Nodal signaling promoted reversion of melanoma cells to a melanocytic phenotype.
Conclusions:
- Nodal signaling plays a critical role in melanoma cell plasticity and tumorigenicity.
- Nodal represents a previously unrecognized molecular target for melanoma therapy.
- Targeting Nodal signaling may offer a strategy to control melanoma progression and invasiveness.
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