SOX10 protein a possible molecular marker in the diagnosis of melanoma

August 27, 2020

Abstract

Melanoma is a malignant skin cancer and the most deadly skin tumor which is treatable if diagnosed early. The SOX10 protein is a nuclear transcription factor that regulates genes essential for melanin synthesis.

The aim of this study was to compare the SOX10 gene expression in melanoma tumors and benign melanocyte lesions as a possible biological indicator in the diagnosis and prognosis and better understanding of the molecular process involved in melanoma cancer.

In this study, 25 samples of melanoma, 25 samples of melanocytic nevus and 10 samples of normal skin as control were examined. The RNA was extracted from paraffin block tissues. After cDNA synthesis, Real-time PCR was performed to evaluate the expression of the SOX10 gene. The SOX10 protein level was assessed by immunohistochemistry.

Increase in the SOX10 gene expression and significant increase in its protein levels in melanoma samples compared to the nevus and normal samples was confirmed by both Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry. No correlation was observed between SOX10 gene expression and other factors such as the Clark and Breslow scales, mitotic counts and demographic characteristics including age and gender.

Given the high expression of the target gene in the melanoma group, more research is needed on SOX10 as a molecular marker in the diagnosis of melanoma cancer. As SOX10 staining intensity varies in both nevus and melanoma groups, this biological marker can be used for differentiation.

Source:

Reza Amiri, Farzaneh Tafvizi, Alireza Ghanadan, Comparison of SOX10 gene expression in melanoma and melanocytic nevus samples using Real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry,
Gene Reports, 2020, 100848, ISSN 2452-0144, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.genrep.2020.100848.

(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2452014420302624)