Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 31, 2026

Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter
11:32

Identification of Transcription Factor Regulators using Medium-Throughput Screening of Arrayed Libraries and a Dual-Luciferase-Based Reporter

Published on: March 27, 2020

ETS-1/RhoC signaling regulates the transcription factor c-Jun in melanoma

Barbara Spangler1, Melanie Kappelmann, Birgit Schittek

  • 1Institute of Pathology, University of Regensburg, 93053 Regensburg, Germany.

International Journal of Cancer
|July 7, 2011
PubMed

Insights

Loss of E-cadherin cell adhesion increases c-Jun protein, a key factor in melanoma development. This post-transcriptional regulation involves cytoskeletal changes and signaling pathways, offering therapeutic targets.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • E-cadherin mediates cell-cell adhesion and its loss is linked to tumor progression.
  • c-Jun (a member of the AP-1 transcription factor family) is crucial for cell proliferation and tumor development, with elevated levels in melanomas.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To elucidate the post-transcriptional regulation of c-Jun protein expression following E-cadherin loss.
  • To investigate the role of the cytoskeleton and specific signaling pathways in this process.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of c-Jun protein and mRNA levels in relation to E-cadherin expression.
  • Investigation of the involvement of the cytoskeleton, ETS-1, and RhoC in the signaling cascade.

Main Results:

  • Loss of E-cadherin induces c-Jun protein expression without affecting its mRNA levels, indicating post-transcriptional regulation.
  • The dynamic cytoskeleton, linked to E-cadherin, regulates c-Jun protein and transcriptional activity.
  • A signaling cascade involving ETS-1 and RhoC, indirectly via the cytoskeleton, stabilizes c-Jun in melanoma cells.

Conclusions:

  • E-cadherin loss-mediated cell-adhesion induces c-Jun protein expression through a multistep process.
  • The identified pathway involving the cytoskeleton, ETS-1, and RhoC presents potential therapeutic intervention points for melanoma.

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