Evidências sugerem que somente cerca de 2% do genoma codifica proteínas, mas que a maior parte dos 80% restante possui atividade transcricional. Por não ser codificadora de proteínas, essa fração do genoma foi considerada como \'DNA lixo\'. Entretanto, estudos mais recentes e análises pós-ENCODE vem demonstrando que parte significativa destes RNAs não-codificantes desempenham papéis importantes em processos biológicos essenciais e também em doenças. Os RNAs longos não codificadores (lncRNAs) embora tradicionalmente conhecidos pelo imprintinggenômico, vem demonstrando diversos mecanismos de regulação da expressão gênica, principalmente emnível pós transcricional. Um destes lncRNAs que está envolvido principalmente com a metastase em câncer é o HOTAIR. O melanoma tem sido utilizado como modelo de progressao do câncer por suas etapas bem definidas e por isso já tem apresentado alguns lncRNAs envolvidos na melanomagenese e progressão do melanoma, tal como o HOTAIR. Assim, neste trabalho foi analisado a expressão de lncRNAs de amostras de melanócito e melanoma, sendo que as amostras malignas representam as principais fases de progressão deste tipo de câncer. Foram analisados os níveis de expressão relativa. Além disso, foi realizado a expressão diferencial dos grupos representativos do melanoma. Foram encontrados lncRNAs com valores de expressão e significância (p-ajustado <0,01 e fold change >1) que podem ser indicativos de expressão associada a progressão do melanoma. Os lncRNAs mais diferencialmente expressos foram avaliados quanto a sua capacidade de interação proteína-RNA e literatura científica disponível e então foram selecionados para posteriores ensaios funcionais. / Evidence suggests that only about 2% of the genome encodes protein, but most remaining 80% has transcriptional activity. Since they do not coding for proteins, this fraction of the genome was considered \'junk DNA\', However, recent studies and post-ENCODE analisys has shown that significant part of these non-coding RNAs play important roles in essential biological processes and in disease. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) although traditionally known for genomic imprinting, has demonstrated several mechanisms of regulation of gene expression, especially at the post transcriptional level. One of these lncRNAs that is involved primarily with metastasis in câncer is HOTAIR. Melanoma has been used as a model of câncer progression by its well-defined steps, and so it has been presented some lncRNAs involved in melanoma progression and melanomagenese, as HOTAIR was demonstrated. In this work it was analyzed the expression of lncRNAs of melanocyte and melanoma samples, and malignant samples represent the main stages of progression of this type of câncer. Relative expression levels were analyzed. Furthermore, it was performed differential expression of representative melanoma groups. lncRNAs found with expression values and significance (p-adjusted <0.01 and fold change> 1) may be indicative of expression associated with melanoma progression. The lncRNAs more differentially expressed were evaluated for their ability to interact protein-RNA and available scientific literature and then were selected for further functional assays.

Tumores são definidos como microambientes compostos não só pelas células malignas, mas também por células endoteliais, fibroblastos e leucócitos, que promovem o crescimento tumoral e a angiogênese. Galectina-3, uma proteína que se liga a b- galactosídeos, é abundantemente expressa por monócitos/macrófagos, dentre outros leucócitos. Inúmeras evidências sugerem que galectina-3 atua como uma molécula reguladora da resposta inflamatória. Tendo em vista que o infiltrado inflamatório pode promover a progressão de tumores, o objetivo do presente trabalho foi avaliar se galectina-3, expressa tanto pela célula tumoral como pelas células estromais, modula o crescimento de melanoma. Para tal, células de melanoma murino Tm1 foram transfectadas com o gene de galectina-3. Ambos clones celulares (galectina-3 positivos e negativos) foram injetados na intrafáscia ou no subcutâneo de camundongos (fêmeas) C57BL/6 selvagens e/ou nocautes para o gene de galectina-3 para análise da implantabilidade e crescimento tumoral. Com relação à implantabilidade, não foi observado diferenças no estabelecimento de uma massa tumoral proliferativa em animais selvagens inoculados com células Tm1 transfectadas ou não com o gene de galectina-3 em animais selvagens. Em relação a taxa de crescimento dos tumores, nenhum animal nocaute inoculado com células Tm1 galectina-3 positivas apresentou tumores de dimensões mensuráveis até o 11º dia pós-inóculo. Independente do nível de expressão de galectina- 3 pela célula tumoral, os tumores originados nos animais nocautes apresentavam menor massa em gramas comparados ao grupo selvagem, sugerindo que galectina-3 expressa pelas células estromais promove o crescimento tumoral. Ainda, os tumores originados nos animais nocautes e no grupo selvagem inoculado com células Tm1 galectina-3 positivas apresentavam menor extensão de área necrótica do que os animais selvagens inoculados com células Tm1 galectina-3 negativas. Interessantemente, os animais selvagens e nocautes inoculados com células Tm1 galectina-3 positivas apresentaram tumores com menor área vascular e menor número de estruturas vasculares funcionais quando comparados aos animais selvagens inoculados com células Tm1 galectina-3 negativas. A análise de expressão gênica nos tumores mostrou que os níveis relativos de RNAm de VEFG (fator de crescimento de endotélio vascular) foram menores nos animais inoculados com células Tm1 galectina-3 positivas em relação aos inoculados com células Tm1 galectina-3 negativas, indicando que galectina-3 expressa pelas células tumorais atua como uma molécula anti-angiogênica. Finalizando, o presente trabalho sugere que galectina-3 pode atuar como uma molécula pró- ou anti-tumoral, dependendo do tipo celular que a expressa no microambiente tumoral. / Tumors have been described as microenvironments composed not only by malignant cells, but also by endothelial cells, fibroblasts and leukocytes, which can promote tumor growth and angiogenesis. Galectin-3, a b-galactoside binding protein, is expressed by monocytes/macrophages and others leukocytes. In fact, several lines of evidence suggest that galectin-3 act as master regulators of the inflammatory response. Based on the fact that the inflammatory infiltrate can promote tumor progression, the proposal of this study was to evaluate if galectin-3, either from tumor or stromal cells could modulate melanoma growth. Tm1 murine melanoma cell line was transfected with the galectin-3 gene. Both clones (galectin-3 negative and positive) were injected in the foot pad or subcutaneous in female C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and galectin-3 knock-out (KO) mice to tumor engraftment and growth analysis. There was no difference in the tumor engraftment between animas injected with Tm1 galectin-3 positive or negative cells. In addition, any knock-out mice injected with galectin-3 positive cells had measurable tumors up to day 11 post inoculation. Regardless the galectin-3 expression level in the melanoma cell, tumors from galectin-3 KO mice were smaller than those from WT animals, suggesting that galectin-3 expressed by stromal cells promotes tumor growth. Moreover, tumor necrotic area was smaller in KO mice and in wild-type animals injected with Tm1 galectin-3 positive cells compared to wild type animals injected with Tm1 galectin-3 negative cells. Interestingly, both vascular area and the number of functional vessels in animals injected with galectin-3 positive Tm1 cells were smaller in WT as well as in KO mice compared to the same animals injected with galectin-3 negative Tm1 cells. Gene expression analysis showed that VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) mRNA levels were smaller in wild type animals injected with Tm1 galectin-3 positive cells compared to those injected with Tm1 galectin-3 negative cells, indicating that galectin-3 expressed by tumor cells can act as an anti-angiogenic molecule. The present study suggests that galectin-3 can act either as a pro or antitumoral molecule, depending on which type of cell (tumoral or stromal) this lectin is expressed within tumor microenvironment.

Os melanomas possuem diferentes comportamentos entre as espécies, sendo de grande importância a caracterização do mecanismo molecular que influencia tal diversidade comportamental. Objetivou-se neste estudo avaliar as características moleculares das neoplasias melanocíticas uveais em cães, a fim de compreender as diferenças entre o melanoma uveal humano e o canino. Foram utilizados 64 olhos de 64 cães com diagnóstico de neoplasia intraocular primária de origem melanocítica. Com base nos critérios histopatológicos estabelecidos foram diagnosticados 37 melanocitomas e 27 melanomas. Não houve predominância sexual e cães sem raça definida, Labrador Retriever e Cocker Spaniel Inglês foram os mais acometidos. Foram analisadas características morfológicas, taxa de mitose, grau de pigmentação, presença de extensão extraocular, localização, infiltrado inflamatório, loop vascular e necrose. Foi realizada análise imunoistoquímica avaliando os marcadores Melan-A, HMB-45, Ki-67 e COX-2. O Melan-A mostrou ser mais sensível, sendo expresso em 53,1% dos casos, enquanto o HMB-45 foi positivo em apenas 31,2% dos casos. O Melan-A e o HMB-45 foram menos frequentes nos melanocitomas comparado com os melanomas. Em 23 casos, nenhum dos dois marcadores reagiu. Os resultados do marcador de proliferação Ki-67 revelaram maior positividade entre os melanomas, com média do índice Ki-67 de 37,8%, enquanto a média dos melanocitomas foi de 15%. Não houve diferença estatística da marcação do Ki-67 com os tipos celulares dentre os melanomas. A COX-2 reagiu positivamente na maioria dos casos e não foi observada diferença estatística entre melanocitomas e melanomas. Dentre os melanomas não houve diferença estatística entre os tipos celulares para a marcação da COX-2. Os achados aqui discutidos revelam interessantes diferenças e similaridades entre as neoplasias melanocíticas uveais no homem e no cão / Melanomas have different behavior between species and is of great importance to characterize the molecular mechanism influencing this behavioral diversity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the molecular characteristics of uveal melanocytic neoplasias in dogs, in order to understand the differences between uveal melanoma in humans and dogs. Sixty-four eyes of 64 dogs diagnosed with primary intraocular neoplasia of melanocytic origin were studied. Based on the established histopathological criteria 37 melanocytomas and 27 melanomas were diagnosed. There was no sexual predominance and mixed breed dogs, Labrador Retriever and English Cocker Spaniel were the most affected. Morphological features, mitotic rate, degree of pigmentation, presence of extraocular extension, location, inflammatory infiltrate, vascular loop and necrosis were analyzed. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to evaluate markers such as Melan-A, HMB-45, Ki-67 and COX-2. The Melan-A was more sensitive and expressed in 53.1% of cases, while the HMB-45 was positive in only 31.2%. The Melan-A, and HMB-45 were less frequent in melanocytomas compared to melanomas. In 23 cases, neither markers reacted. The results of the Ki-67 showed higher positivity among melanomas, mean Ki-67 index of 37.8%, while melanocytomas showed mean of 15%. There was no statistical difference in the Ki-67 labeling among melanoma&#39;s cell types. COX-2 reacted positively in most cases and found no statistically significant difference between melanocytomas and melanomas. Among the melanomas, there was no statistical difference between the cell types for COX-2. The findings discussed here reveal interesting differences and similarities between the uveal melanocytic neoplasms in humans and dogs

Orientadores: Karina Gottardello Zecchin, Edgard Graner / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de Piracicaba / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-24T17:35:39Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Ortega_RoseMara_D.pdf: 2691297 bytes, checksum: ea4bceee611c0e68c84223cc02b8fd52 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2014 / Resumo: Ácido graxo sintase (FASN - fatty acid synthase, EC 2.3.1.85) é a enzima metabólica responsável pela síntese endógena do ácido graxo saturado palmitato, a partir dos precursores acetil-CoA e malonil-CoA. Diversos estudos mostram que, em contraste com a maioria das células normais, FASN é altamente expressa em vários tipos de neoplasias malignas humanas, tais como as de próstata, mama e melanoma sendo que, em alguns destes tumores, a alta expressão de FASN está associada a um pior prognóstico. A inibição da enzima FASN resulta em inibição da proliferação e induz morte celular em diversas neoplasias malignas. Recentemente demonstramos que, in vitro, a inibição específica da atividade de FASN em linhagem celular de melanoma murino, B16-F10, induz a via intrínseca da apoptose, com liberação de citocromo c e ativação de caspase-3, assim como altera a composição dos ácidos graxos livres presentes nas mitocôndrias das células B16-F10. O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar de que maneira a inibição farmacológica de FASN reduz a proliferação de células B16-F10, in vitro e in vivo, utilizando C75 como inibidor de FASN. O tratamento de células e animais com C75 reduziu significativamente a proliferação celular e induziu apoptose. Houve significativa redução de células na fase S do ciclo celular, com acúmulo de células de G0/G1, em comparação com os controles. Western blottings feitos a partir de extratos de células em cultura e de tumores intraperitoneais mostraram aumento de p21WAF1/Cip1, p27Kip1, redução de Skp2 e cdk2, sem mudanças nos níveis de cdk4, 6 e ciclina E após tratamento com C75. A especifidade destes resultados foi confirmada pela redução da atividade enzimática de FASN após tratamento com C75 e pelo silenciamento de FASN com RNAi. Efeito anti-tumoral de C75 foi sugerido pela formação de tumores subcutâneos de menor volume quando comparados aos tumores de animais controle. Nossos achados mostram que a proliferação de células de melanoma é dependente de FASN, e que sua inibição primeiramente altera os níveis de proteínas envolvidas na transição de G1 para S, para posteriormente induzir apoptose em células de melanoma B16-F10 / Abstract: Fatty acid synthase (FASN) is the metabolic enzyme responsible for the endogenous synthesis of the saturated long-chain fatty acid palmitate, from the precursors acetyl-CoA and malonyl-CoA. In contrast to most normal cells, the overexpression of FASN in several human malignancies, such as those of prostate, breast, ovary, melanoma, and soft tissue sarcomas has been associated with poor prognosis. FASN inhibition reduces cell proliferation by blocking DNA replication during S-phase, and induces apoptosis in several malignant neoplasias. We have previously shown that the specific inhibition of FASN activity significantly reduce proliferation and promote apoptosis, as demonstrated by the cytochrome c release and caspase-9 and -3 activation, as well as induces signi?cant changes in the free fatty acids composition of B16-F10 cells mitochondria. Here we investigated the events involved in cell cycle arrest subsequent to FASN inhibition with C75. C75 treatment significantly reduced melanoma cells proliferation and induced apoptosis in vitro and in mice. Cell cycle arrest after C75 treatment was evidenced by a significant increase in G0/G1 phase, as well as decline of the S phase, in comparison with untreated cells. Western blotting analysis showed significant accumulations of the tumor suppressor proteins p21WAF1/Cip1 and p27Kip1, together with decreased amounts of Skp2, essential for the proteasomal degradation of p27Kip1, and cdk2, a Ser/Thr protein kinase necessary for the G1/S transition, in C75-treated cells or mice tumors. The levels of other proteins involved in G1/S cell cycle progression, such as cyclin E, cdk4, and cdk6 were not affected by FASN inhibition. These results were confirmed by inhibition of FASN activity after C75 treatment and by RNAi for FASN. Antitumoral effect of C75 was suggested by reduced subcutaneous tumors volume when compared to controls mice. Our results suggest that melanoma murine B16-F10 cells proliferation is dependent on FASN activity, and its inhibition first modify the levels of some proteins involved in the transition G1?S of cell cycle, to finally induce apoptosis in neoplasic cells / Doutorado / Estomatologia / Doutora em Estomatopatologia

Orientadores: Carmen Verissima Ferreira Halder, Silvia Mika Shishido / Tese (doutorado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Instituto de Biologia / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-20T22:59:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Machado_Daisy_D.pdf: 7339714 bytes, checksum: b126414072e5dc8abcca091c7af0fdbf (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Melanoma é o tipo mais agressivo de tumor de pele e uma das principais causas de morte por tumor de pele, devido a sua alta capacidade metastática. Em termos de estratégias terapêuticas de combate ao melanoma tem-se dado ênfase no controle da resistência e da metástase. Nosso grupo de pesquisa observou que a riboflavina irradiada (RFi) induz apoptose de células de câncer de próstata, renal e leucemia mielóide. Portanto, o objetivo geral deste trabalho foi utilizar a RFi para modular química e geneticamente as vias de transdução de sinal associadas com a sobrevivência, resistência e agressividade do melanoma. Assim, neste trabalho estão apresentados os dados sobre a influência da RFi em diferentes aspectos metabólicos das células de melanoma murino (B16F10), tais como: citotoxicidade, adesão, invasão, migração, capacidade de formação de colônia e em mediadores de transdução de sinal: Src quinase, mTOR e componentes da via sonic hedgehog. Em todos os experimentos a riboflavina (RF) foi previamente irradiada com UVA (dose de 9 J/cm²). Foi observado inibição da proliferação celular com valor de IC50 de 50 ?M. De forma interessante, RFi na faixa de concentração de nanomolar foi eficiente na inibição da formação de colônias. Além disso, causou a redução da adesão das células B16F10, quando utilizada na concentração de 1?M. A capacidade de migração e invasão das células de melanoma foi reduzida na presença da RFi, nas concentrações de 1 e 30 ?M respectivamente, porém a resposta foi independente da dose. A atividade e expressão das metaloproteinases foram diminuídas na presença de RFi, indicando inibição na capacidade de invasão. Sob o contexto de sinalização a RFi modulou negativamente a via sonic hedgehog, PI3K/mTOR e aumentou a expressão da p53 e PTEN. O conjunto de resultados obtidos nesse trabalho mostra que flavinas são candidatas promissoras para a intervenção farmacológica do melanoma / Abstract: Melanoma is the most aggressive type of skin disorder and a major cause of death by skin's disease due to its highly metastatic ability. In terms of melanoma therapeutic strategies has given emphasis on control of resistance and metastasis. Our group observed that irradiated riboflavin (RF) induces apoptosis of prostate cancer cells, kidney cancer cells and myeloid leukemia. Therefore, the goal of this study was to employ irradiated RF for modulating chemical and genetically signal pathways associated with melanoma survival, resistance and aggressiveness. Thus, in this manuscript data about the influence of RF in different cellular metabolic aspects of murine melanoma (B16F10) such as cytotoxicity, adhesion, invasion, migration, colony formation and signal transduction mediators Src kinase, mTOR and sonic hedgehog components, will be presented. In all experiments the RF was previously irradiated with UVA (dose of 9 J/cm²). Inhibition of cell proliferation was observed with IC50 value of 50 ?M. Interestingly, RF in a nanomolar concentration inhibited the formation of colonies. In addition, 1 ?M irradiated RF caused a reduction of B16F10 cells adhesion. The ability of migration and invasion of melanoma cells was reduced in the presence of RF, however, those cells response was dose-independent. The activity and expression of metalloproteinases were diminished indicating reduction of cellular invasiveness capacity. Sonic hedgehog and PI3K/mTOR pathways were negatively modulated and the expression of p53 and PTEN were increased in melanoma cells treated with irradiated RF. The findings showed in this study brought out flavins as promising candidates for pharmacological intervention of melanoma / Doutorado / Bioquimica / Doutor em Biologia Funcional e Molecular

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Purpose. In the US, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) rates have increased substantially in recent decades. While many skin cancer risk factors have been established, the impact of dietary citrus, which is naturally abundant in photocarcinogenic psoralens, remains enigmatic. The purpose of this research was to investigate associations between citrus consumption and risks of melanoma and NMSC, and to conduct a genome-wide study to identify genetic variants that may modify this association. Methods. Participants from the UK Biobank were leveraged for these analyses. Citrus consumption was collected via five rounds of 24-hour recall questionnaires, with complete citrus data available for n=210,126 participants. Ascertainment of melanoma and NMSC cases were identified by international classification of disease codes via linkage with national registries. Logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the associations between citrus consumption and skin cancer outcomes. Individual citrus products were assessed for independent associations with skin cancer risk, and established skin cancer risk factors were tested for interaction. Joint 2-degree-of-freedom (df) and 1-df tests were used to assess interaction between total citrus consumption and genetic variants. Results. After controlling for covariates, high total citrus consumption was significantly associated with increased melanoma risk, an association primarily driven by orange and orange juice consumption. Skin color was found to be a significant effect modifier for the association between total citrus consumption and melanoma risk, but only before adjusting for multiple comparisons. No significant associations were observed for high total citrus consumption or consumption of any individual citrus products and NMSC risk. Significant associations for half a serving of citrus consumption and NMSC risk were likely due to chance or confounding. Index SNPs on chromosomes 3, 9, and 16 were significant according to the joint 2-df test, and 7 SNPs on chromosome 16 displayed evidence of a citrus-gene interaction. Conclusion. My analyses provide evidence in support of high citrus consumption significantly increasing risk of melanoma, but not NMSC. I also identified SNPs on AFG3L1P that may modify this association. Future research should further explore these associations, particularly for NMSC and to confirm my genetic findings.

No / Prohormone convertases (PCs) are endoproteases that process many substrates in addition to hormone precursors. Although overexpression of PCs is linked to carcinogenesis in some solid tumors, the role of subtilisin-kexin isoenzyme-1 (SKI-1) in this context is unknown. We show that SKI-1 is constitutively expressed in human pigment cells with higher SKI activity in seven out of eight melanoma cell lines compared with normal melanocytes. SKI-1 immunoreactivity is also detectable in tumor cells of melanoma metastases. Moreover, tissue samples of the latter display higher SKI-1 mRNA levels and activity than normal skin. From various stimuli tested, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate and tunicamycin affected SKI-1 expression. Importantly, SKI-1 inhibition by the cell-permeable enzyme inhibitor decanoyl-RRLL-chloromethylketone (dec-RRLL-CMK) not only suppressed proliferation and metabolic activity of melanoma cells in vitro but also reduced tumor growth of melanoma cells injected intracutaneously into immunodeficient mice. Mechanistic studies revealed that dec-RRLL-CMK induces classical apoptosis of melanoma cells in vitro and affects expression of several SKI-1 target genes including activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6). However, ATF6 gene silencing does not result in apoptosis of melanoma cells, suggesting that dec-RRLL-CMK induces cell death in an ATF6-independent manner. Our findings encourage further studies on SKI-1 as a potential target for melanoma therapy.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary cancer of the eye and its prognosis is strongly influenced by the occurrence of metastases, which are both rapidly developing and mostly fatal. The most frequent driver mutations occur in a small number of genes including GNAQ, GNA11, BAP1, CYSLTR2 and SF3B1. Due to a lack of suitable animal models, the mechanism through which mutations in these genes cause or cooperate in UM initiation and progression is still largely unknown. We aimed at generating transgenic strains expressing the human mutant proteins in zebrafish uveal melanocytes, using the kita promoter. We used the binary Gal4/UAS system to express the mutant genes mentioned above. Moreover, we performed xenotransplantation experiments with uveal melanoma human and zebrafish cell lines in optically-clear, immunocompromised, zebrafish larvae. Transplanted fish developed melanoma near the site of transplantation in two weeks and showed metastatic growth within one month of age. This approach could be used for short-term assays in larvae, and be further developed for long-term uveal melanoma studies. In parallel, we performed a chemical screen using a transgenic model previously generated in our laboratory, where oncogenic RAS is expressed under the kita promoter. As adults transgenic kita:RAS develop cutaneous melanoma with high frequency and uveal melanoma with a much lower percentage. Larvae showed an increased number of melanocytes already at 3 days post fertilization (dpf) as the earliest evidence of abnormal melanocyte growth. Using this model we performed a chemical screen based on automated detection of a reduction of melanocytes number caused by any of the 1280 FDA or EMA approved drugs of the Prestwick library. The analysis showed that 55 molecules were able to reduce by 60% or more the number of melanocytes per embryo. We identified clotrimazole, as the best candidate. The molecule is an azole derivative acting on the energetic metabolism of melanoma cells. We further tested two compounds for each of the 5 pharmacological classes, and a farnesyltransferase inhibitor (lonafarnib), that inhibits an essential post-translational modification of HRAS and suppresses the hyperpigmentation phenotype. Combinations of clotrimazole and lonafarnib showed the most promising results in zebrafish embryos, allowing a dose reduction of both drugs. We performed validation of these observations in the metastatic human melanoma cell line A375M, and in normal human epithelial melanocytes (NHEM) as control cells, in order to investigate the mechanism of action of clotrimazole in blocking the proliferation of transformed melanocytes. Viability assay and analysis of energy metabolism in clotrimazole treated cells show that this drug specifically affects melanoma cells in vitro and transformed melanocytes in vivo, having no effects on NHEM or wild type larvae. Similar effects were observed with another hit of the antifungal class, miconazole. Furthermore, we show that the effects of clotrimazole are mediated by the inhibition of hexokinase activity and suggest further testing of clotrimazole in combinatorial treatments. In conclusion, this thesis investigated different possibilities of modeling the rare cancer uveal melanoma in zebrafish, using both transgenic and transplantation approaches, and developed a pipeline for a high-throughput, semi-automated chemical screen in a zebrafish melanoma that identified clotrimazole and miconazole as targeting a metabolic vulnerability in melanoma cells.

No description available.

A study was undertaken to determine whether cytogenetic abnormalities can be identified in an invasive melanoma cell population that has been selected in vitro out of a larger cell population of low invasive potential. The selecting agent was a denuded human amniotic membrane situated within Mega-Membrane Invasion Culture System chambers. Invasive cells were collected, grown, and harvested for cytogenetic analysis. Metaphases of these cells were examined for chromosomal abnormalities and for evidence of gene amplification in the form of double minute chromosomes. Invasive cell lines evinced changes in their degree of aneuploidy which were not seen in parental control lines of the same passage number. Significant karyotypic abnormalities identified in invasive cell lines were an increased dosage of chromosome 7 and multiple 1q translocation marker chromosomes. Double minute chromosomes were found in up to 18% of invasive cell metaphases examined and in 3% of parental controls. The incidence of double minutes was found to decrease as a function of passage number.