EnABLing Cathepsin-Driven Melanoma Metastasis

ABSTRACT

Metastatic melanoma remains incurable for many due to its aggressive nature. Secreted cathepsins promote metastasis by cleaving matrix and activating pro-invasive proteases. We reported that ABL kinases induce cathepsin secretion and subsequent metastasis by activating ETS1, SP1, and RELA pathways, indicating that ABL inhibitors may serve as novel anti-cathepsin agents.

KEYWORDS:

• cathepsin
• ABL1
• ABL2
• Abl
• Arg
• ETS1
• SP1
• NF-κB
• RELA
• cysteine cathepsins

Acknowledgements

The Research Communications Office of the Markey and Center (P30CA177558) supported this work and contributed to the figure.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by NIH grants R01CA116784 and R01CA166499, and by a Markey Cancer Foundation Women Strong Award to R.P.