Isolation and characterization of TM1.RASSF9 KO melanoma cell clones

• Grant number: 23/02360-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2023
• End date: March 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Morphology - Cytology and Cell Biology
• Principal Investigator: João Gustavo Pessini Amarante Mendes
• Grantee: Carolina Previdi Mesquita Barroso
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Biomédicas (ICB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Melanoma is a type of skin neoplasm originated from melanocytes. With the higher rate of mortality among skin cancers, the tumoral process in this disease is strongly linked to the presence of mutations caused by sunlight exposure. The most common mutation is in the BRAF gene, that causes constitutive signaling of cell proliferation pathways. RAF proteins are direct targets of RAS, being called RAS effector proteins. The RAS association domain family (RASSF) is a family of one of those RAS effector proteins, which bind to RAS and are composed by 10 members - RASSFs 1-10. Despite data in the literature showing an antitumoral activity of RASSF, the precise biological function of these proteins remains largely unknown. In the present study we will evaluate specifically the role of RASSF9 in murine melanoma by isolating and characterizing clones of Tm1.RASSF9 cell line obtaine by CRISPR/Cas-9 technology. These clones will be studied regarding their resistance to apoptosis and ability to proliferate, migrate and invade; compared to clones obtained from Tm1.vector control. Our goal is to better understand the role of RASSF9 in melanoma.