Gene Expression and Mutational Profile in BAP-1 Inactivated Melanocytic Lesions of Progressive Malignancy from a Patient with Multiple Lesions

BAP-1 (BRCA1-associated protein 1) inactivated melanocytic lesions are a group of familial or sporadic lesions with unique histology and molecular features. They are of great clinical interest, at least in part due to the potential for malignant transformation and association with a familial cancer predisposition syndrome. Here, we describe a patient with multiple spatially and temporally distinct melanocytic lesions with loss of BAP1 expression by immunohistochemistry. RNA sequencing was performed on three independent lesions spanning the morphologic spectrum: a benign nevus, an atypical tumor, and a melanoma arising from a pre-existing BAP1-inactivated nevus. The three lesions demonstrated largely distinct gene expression and mutational profiles. Gene expression analysis revealed that genes involved in receptor protein kinase pathways were progressively upregulated from nevus to melanoma. Moreover, a clear enrichment of genes regulated in response to UV radiation was found in the melanoma from this patient, as well as upregulation of MAPK pathway-related genes and several transcription factors related to melanomagenesis.

Automated summary

BAP-1 inactivated melanocytic lesions exhibit distinct gene expression and mutational profiles, with genes involved in receptor protein kinase pathways gradually upregulated from nevus to melanoma. These lesions also show a gene enrichment in response to UV radiation, as well as upregulation of MAPK pathway-related genes and transcription factors related to melanomagenesis.