132 Atoh1 is required for maintenance of Merkel cell carcinoma lineage identity

Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is a rare and aggressive neuroendocrine skin cancer that frequently carries integrated Merkel cell polyomavirus (MCPyV) and expresses viral transforming antigens (TAgs) implicated in tumorigenesis. MCC tumor cells express a complement of signature genes detected in normal, post-mitotic Merkel cells (MCs), including keratins K20 and K8, along with a network of transcription factors governing neuroendocrine cell fate, such as Atoh1. While previous studies showed that MCPyV TAgs drive transformation in vivo, these models have not yet yielded MCC tumors.

Source: Journal of Investigative Dermatology - April 19, 2019 Category: Dermatology Authors: M.E. Verhaegen, D. Mangelberger, D. Wilbert, J. VanGoor, P. Harms, A.A. Dlugosz Tags: Carcinogenesis and Cancer Genetics Source Type: research