Discovery may lead to targeted melanoma therapies

Melanoma patients with high levels of a protein that controls the expression of pro-growth genes are less likely to survive, according to a new study. The research team found that the protein, called H2A.Z.2, promotes the abnormal growth seen in melanoma cells as they develop into difficult-to-treat tumors. H2A.Z.2 is part of the chromosome structure that packages genes, and has the ability to switch them on off. Having high levels of this protein aberrantly activates growth-promoting genes in melanoma cells.

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