BRAFV600E mutations in malignant melanoma are associated with increased expressions of BAALC

BACHGROUND: Activating BRAF mutations are present in approximately 50% of melanomas. Although different downstream target genes of the most common mutant V600E have been identified, the contribution of activating BRAF mutations to malignant transformation needs further clarification.

Microarray gene analysis was performed for human melanoma cell lines harboring BRAFV600E mutations in comparison to cell lines without this mutation.

This analysis revealed a more than two fold down-regulation of 43 and an increase of 39 gene products. BAALC (Brain and acute Leukaemia, cytoplasmatic) was most prominently regulated, since it was up-regulated in mutated cell lines by a mean of 11.45. Real time PCR analyses with RNA from melanoma cell lines (n = 30) confirmed the BRAF-activation dependent up-regulation of BAALC.

BAALC, which has been associated with cell dedifferentiation and migration, may function as a downstream effector of activating BRAF mutations during melanomagenesis.