Modeling the effects of genetic- and diet-induced obesity on melanoma progression in zebrafish
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: Obesity is a rising concern and associated with an increase in numerous cancers, often in a sex-specific manner. Preclinical models are needed to deconvolute the intersection between obesity, sex and melanoma. Here, we generated a zebrafish system that can be used as a platform for studying these factors. We studied how germline overexpression of Agrp along with a high-fat diet affects melanomas dependent on BRAFV600E and loss of p53. This revealed an increase in tumor incidence and area in male, but not female, obese fish, consistent with the clinical literature. We then determined whether this was further affected by additional somatic mutations in the clinically relevant genes rb1 or ptena/b. We found that the male obesogenic effect on melanoma was present with tumors generated with BRAF;p53;Rb1 but not BRAF;p53;Pten. These data indicate that both germline (Agrp) and somatic (BRAF, Rb1) mutations contribute to obesity-related effects in melanoma. Given the rapid genetic tools available in the zebrafish, this provides a high-throughput system to dissect the interactions of genetics, diet, sex and host factors in obesity-related cancers.
Source: Disease Models & Mechanisms
DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049671
Institution: Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
Language: English
Subfield: Cell Biology
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,750
Funders: American Cancer Society, Melanoma Research Foundation, Melanoma Research Alliance, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, Pershing Square Foundation, Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance, Mark Foundation For Cancer Research, Debra and Leon Black Family Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of General Medical Sciences
Awards: G1108363289, Evolutionary dynamics of melanoma metastasis, G1676388581, G2051006376, G2335183100, G2665966410, G2695487608, G289723095, G3046438608, G3945460756, G4102770861, G4184184117, G4266131079, G4663426322, G5071749142, G5673257561, Investigating cancer metabolism and its potential for therapeutic intervention, G6403603385, G6680673728, G6961667137, In vivo characterization of keratinocytes in the melanoma microenvironment, G736417445, G8099233186, G8322667947, G9000003249, G9000034144, G9000084110, G9000206085, G9000224218, G9000303076, Cancer Center Support Grant
OpenAlex ID: W4310776516