Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Endothelin-3 is produced by metastatic melanoma cells and promotes melanoma cell survival
Liren Tang1, Mingwan Su, Yi Zhang
1Department of Dermatology and Skin Science, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC.
Background:
Endothelin-3 (ET-3) is an essential paracrine factor for the proliferation, migration, and survival of embryonic melanocytes during fetal development. Its expression is tightly regulated, being completely turned off in adult skin.
Objective:
In this study, results are presented that demonstrate abnormal expression of ET-3 by metastatic melanoma cells in both tissue biopsies and cell culture. Further, in vitro experiments showed that metastatic melanoma cells have the capacity to respond to ET-3 stimulation by increasing survival.
Conclusion:
Therefore, an abnormal autocrine stimulation pathway involving ET-3 is present in metastatic melanoma cells. Blocking this signal transduction pathway may prove useful for the treatment of metastatic melanoma.
Related Concept Videos
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply
The Tumor Microenvironment
Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Mechanism of Angiogenesis

