A protein promoted growth in lab-grown melanoma cells

In experiments with YUMM1.7 melanoma cells grown in the lab, researchers tested spondin 1, a protein. When attached to a surface, it promoted cell multiplication, with a stronger effect at higher doses.

In a melanoma model, the team traced cells using a labelling system linked to p16, a protein used to mark senescence, a state in which cells stop dividing. Fibroblasts, cells that help build tissue’s supporting structure, formed a major labelled population. The gene for spondin 1 was more active in labelled fibroblasts. A separate human skin tumour dataset also showed higher spondin 1 gene activity in fibroblasts, especially those expressing the gene for p16. In survival data, high spondin 1 gene activity was independently associated with shorter overall survival after accounting for tumour type, age and sex.