Searching for the 'melano-miRs': miR-214 drives melanoma metastasis

Since the beginning of micro-RNA (miR) research, several attempts have been made to identify the 'melano-miRs', which are involved in melanoma progression. Indeed, a small number of miRs have been identified to regulate some genes involved in melanogenesis. However, the miRs that control the pathway to the malignant phenotype are yet undescribed. In this issue of the EMBO Journal, Penna et al (2011) demonstrate that miR-214 is overexpressed in metastatic melanoma cell lines and tumour specimens. miR-214 regulates the expression of two transcription factors AP-2 gamma (directly) and AP-2 alpha (indirectly). These transcription factors, particularly AP-2 alpha, have been previously shown to play major roles in melanoma metastasis via regulation of genes involved in extravasation, invasion and angiogenesis. As such, this study has identified miR-214 as a driver of melanoma metastasis.