Frequent Mutation of BAP1 in Metastasizing Uveal Melanomas

• DOI: 10.1126/science.1194472
• Publication Date: 2010-11-05T02:34:02Z
• Authors: J. William Harbour; Michael D. Onken; Elisha D. O. Robe...; Shenghui Duan; Li Cao; Lori A. Worley; M. Laurin Council; Katie A. Matatall; Cynthia Helms; Anne M. Bowcock
• Keywords: BAP1

An Eye on Metastasis Despite the considerable progress being made in elucidating cell biology of metastasis, little is known about genetic alterations that promote metastasis human tumors, cause most cancer deaths. A potentially important clue now emerges from work Harbour et al. (p. 1410 , published online 4 November), who used an exome-sequencing approach to search for mutations uveal melanomas, eye associated with a high rate fatal metastasis. Remarkably, over 80% tumor samples metastatic risk had inactivating somatic gene encoding BAP1 (BRCA1-associated protein 1), nuclear involved controlling degradation. Thus, this type, mutational inactivation may be key event acquisition competence.