Expression of LOXL3, NES, and SNAI1 in Melanoma Genesis and Progression

Sep 22, 2026

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Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer, with rising global incidence and limited survival in advanced stages. LOXL3, SNAI1, and NES are explored as key regulators of melanoma genesis, tumor growth, metastasis, cellular differentiation, and treatment resistance. The study evaluates dysplastic nevi, melanoma in situ, and BRAF+ versus BRAF− metastatic melanoma using immunofluorescence and qPCR. Results show increased LOXL3 and highest NES in BRAF+ melanoma, while SNAI1 peaks in metastatic melanoma; co-expression patterns support coordinated EMT marker activity and suggest therapeutic targeting potential.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages17

Reading Time43 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Disease background and clinical importance

Materials and Methods

Patient groups and experimental approaches

Results

Marker expression patterns and comparisons across groups

Discussion

Co-expression, EMT implications, and therapeutic potential

cells Article Expression of LOXL3, NES, and SNAI1 in Melanoma Genesis and Progression Zdenka Šitum ˇCeprnja 1, Nela Kelam 2, Marin Ogorevc 2, Anita Racetin 2, Martina Vukoja 3, Toni ˇCeprnja 4, Natalija Filipovi´c 2, Mirna Saraga-Babi´c 2,* and Katarina Vukojevi´c 2,5 Citation: Šitum ˇCeprnja, Z.; Kelam, N.; Ogorevc, M.; Racetin, A.; Vukoja, M.; ˇCeprnja, T.; Filipovi´c, N.; Saraga-Babi´c, M.; Vukojevi´c, K. Expression of LOXL3, NES, and SNAI1 in Melanoma Genesis and Progression. Cells 2024, 13, 1450 . [https://doi.org/10.3390/](https://doi.org/10.3390/)[ ](https://doi.org/10.3390/)cells13171450 Academic Editor: Cynthia Simbulan-Rosenthal Received: 31 July 2024 Revised: 27 August 2024 Accepted: 28 August 2024 Published: 29 August 2024 Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . 1 Department of Dermatovenerology, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; [zdenka.situm.ceprnja@mefst.hr](zdenka.situm.ceprnja@mefst.hr) 2 Department of Anatomy, Histology and Embryology, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia; [nela.kelam@mefst.hr](nela.kelam@mefst.hr) (N.K.); [marin.ogorevc@mefst.hr](marin.ogorevc@mefst.hr) (M.O.); [amuic@mefst.hr](amuic@mefst.hr) (A.R.); natalija.filipovic@mefst.hr (N.F.); katarina.vukojevic@mefst.hr (K.V.) 3 Laboratory of Morphology, Department of Histology and Embryology, School of Medicine, University of Mostar, 88 000 Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina; [martina.vukoja@mef.sum.ba](martina.vukoja@mef.sum.ba) 4 Department of Pathology, Forensic Medicine and Cytology, University Hospital of Split, 21000 Split, Croatia; [tceprnja@mefst.hr](tceprnja@mefst.hr) 5 Center for Translational Research in Biomedicine, University of Split School of Medicine, 21000 Split, Croatia * [Correspondence: mirna.saraga-babic@mefst.hr](Correspondence: mirna.saraga-babic@mefst.hr) Abstract: Melanoma is the most severe type of skin cancer and among the most malignant neoplasms in humans. With the growing incidence of melanoma, increased numbers of therapeutic options, and the potential to target specific proteins, understanding the basic mechanisms underlying the disease’s progression and resistance to treatment has never been more important. LOXL3, SNAI1, and NES are key factors in melanoma genesis, regulating tumor growth, metastasis, and cellular differentiation. In our study, we explored the potential role of LOXL3, SNAI1, and NES in melanoma progression and metastasis among patients with dysplastic nevi, melanoma in situ, and BRAF+ and BRAF − metastatic melanoma, using immunofluorescence and qPCR analysis. Our results reveal a significant increase in LOXL3 expression and the highest NES expression in BRAF+ melanoma compared to BRAF − , dysplastic nevi, and melanoma in situ. As for SNAI1, the highest expression was observed in the metastatic melanoma group, without significant differences among groups. We found co-expression of LOXL3 and SNAI1 in the perinuclear area of all investigated subgroups and NES and SNAI1 co-expression in melanoma cells. These findings suggest a codependence or collaboration between these markers in melanoma EMT, suggesting new potential therapeutic interventions to block the EMT cascade that could significantly affect survival in many melanoma patients. Keywords: dysplastic nevus; melanoma; LOXL3; NES; SNAI1; BRAF 1. Introduction A malignant tumor derived from melanocytes, melanoma mostly occurs in the skin but can also originate from mucosal surfaces, the ciliary body, the uvea, and conjunctiva of the eye, as well as the leptomeninges. It is the fifth most common malignancy in men and sixth most common in women. Over the past

FAQs

Which patient groups were compared in the study of LOXL3, SNAI1, and NES?

The study compared dysplastic nevi, melanoma in situ, and metastatic melanoma groups with BRAF+ and BRAF− status using immunofluorescence and qPCR.

What expression pattern did the study find for LOXL3 and NES across BRAF+ and BRAF− melanoma?

LOXL3 expression increased significantly, and NES showed the highest expression in the BRAF+ metastatic melanoma group compared with BRAF− melanoma, dysplastic nevi, and melanoma in situ.

What do the co-expression findings imply for melanoma EMT and therapy?

The co-expression of LOXL3 and SNAI1 in perinuclear regions and the co-expression of NES and SNAI1 in melanoma cells suggest codependence between these markers in EMT, supporting potential interventions to block the EMT cascade and influence patient survival.

Sep 22, 2026

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