The role of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1alpha and its signaling in melanoma

Adaptation to the loss of O2 is regulated via the activity of hypoxia-inducible factors such as Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1 (HIF-1). HIF-1 acts as a main transcriptional mediator in the tissue hypoxia response that regulates over 1000 genes related to low oxygen tension. The role of HIF-1 alpha in oncogenic processes includes angiogenesis, tumor metabolism, cell proliferation, and metastasis, which has been examined in various malignancies, such as melanoma. Melanoma is accompanied by a high death rate and a cancer type whose incidence has risen over the last decades. The linkage between O2 loss and melanogenesis had extensively studied over decades. Recent studies revealed that HIF-1 alpha contributes to melanoma progression via different signaling pathways such as PI3K/ Akt/mTOR, RAS/RAF/MEK/ERK, JAK/STAT, Wnt/beta-catenin, Notch, and NF-kappa B. Also, various microRNAs (miRs) are known to mediate the HIF-1 alpha role in melanoma. Therefore, HIF-1 alpha offers a diagnostic/prognostic biomarker and a candidate for targeted therapy in melanoma.

Automated summary

The adaptation to O2 loss is regulated by hypoxia-inducible factors such as HIF-1 alpha, which plays a crucial role in melanoma progression through various signaling pathways. Therefore, HIF-1 alpha serves as a diagnostic/prognostic biomarker and a potential target for therapy in melanoma.