Association of JAK/STAT genetic variants with cutaneous melanoma

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Boas Gomez, Gabriela Vilas ; Lourenco, Gustavo Jacob ; Oliveira Monteiro, Lummy Maria ; Rocha, Rafael Silva ; McGrail Fernandez, Kimberly Anne ; Recio, Juan Angel ; Torricelli, Caroline ; Coser, Lilian Oliveira ; Rodrigues Oliveira, Alexandre Leite ; Carron, Juliana ; Moraes, Aparecida Machado ; Passos Lima, Carmen Silvia

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY; v. 12, p. 17-pg., 2022-08-02.

Abstract

BackgroundThe Janus-activated kinase (JAK)-signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) signaling pathway regulates cutaneous melanoma (CM) development and progression. The JAK1, JAK2, and STAT3 proteins are encoded by polymorphic genes. This study aimed to verify whether single-nucleotide variants (SNVs) in JAK1 (c.1648+1272G>A, c.991-27C>T), JAK2 (c.-1132G>T, c.-139G>A), and STAT3 (c.*1671T>C, c.-1937C>G) altered the risk, clinicopathological aspects, and survival of CM patients as well as protein activity. MethodsCM patients (N = 248) and controls (N = 274) were enrolled in this study. Genotyping was performed by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and JAK1, JAK2, and STAT3 expression was assessed by quantitative PCR (qPCR). STAT3 c.-1937C>G SNV was investigated by luciferase, qPCR, western blot, apoptosis, and cell cycle assays in SKMEL-28 cells with CC or GG genotype. ResultsIndividuals with STAT3 c.*1671TT and c.-1937CC genotypes and TC haplotype of both SNVs were under about 2.0-fold increased risk of CM. Specific JAK1, JAK2, and STAT3 combined genotypes were associated with up to 4.0-fold increased risk of CM. Higher luciferase activity [4,013.34 vs. 2,463.32 arbitrary units (AU); p = 0.004], STAT3 expression by qPCR (649.20 vs. 0.03 AU; p = 0.003) and western blot (1.69 vs. 1.16 AU; p = 0.01), and percentage of cells in the S phase of the cell cycle (57.54 vs. 30.73%; p = 0.04) were more frequent in SKMEL-28 with STAT3 c.-1937CC than with GG genotype. CM cell line with CC genotype presented higher STAT3 protein levels than the one with GG genotype (1.93 versus 1.27 AU, p = 0.0027). ConclusionOur data present preliminary evidence that inherited abnormalities in the JAK/STAT pathway can be used to identify individuals at a high risk of CM, who deserve additional attention for tumor prevention and early detection.

• FAPESP's process: 16/25407-4 - Influence of polymorphisms in JAK/STAT pathway genes on the susceptibility and clinicopathological aspects of patients with cutaneous melanoma
• Grantee: Gabriela Vilas Bôas Gomez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/16776-4 - Functional consequences of the STAT3 c.-1937C>G genetic variant on cutaneous melanoma
• Grantee: Gabriela Vilas Bôas Gomez
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Doctorate
• FAPESP's process: 19/09168-8 - Influence of variants in genes of immunological pathways in risk and prognosis of patients with cutaneous melanoma
• Grantee: Carmen Silvia Passos Lima
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants