[Analysis of BRAF mutation and extracellular regulated protein kinases activation in nasal mucosa melanomas].

OBJECTIVE

To determine the rate of BRAF gene mutation and the expression of activated extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK) in nasal mucosa malignant melanomas and compare the results with those in cutaneous melanomas so as to explore the difference in the pathogenesis between nasal mucosa malignant melanomas and cutaneous melanomas.

METHODS

Twenty nasal mucosa melanomas samples were collected. Genomic DNA was extracted and the BRAF mutation detected by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and direct sequencing analysis. Total protein was obtained and the activated ERK detected by Western blot.

RESULTS

BRAF mutation was detected in 5% (1/20) samples of all patients. The mutation rate was much lower than that in cutaneous melanomas. And phosphorylated ERK protein was detected in 60% (12/20). And the result was almost similar to that of cutaneous melanomas.

CONCLUSIONS

The high expression of activated ERK is not caused mainly by BRAF gene mutation in nasal mucosa malignant melanomas. The pathogenic pathways are different between nasal mucosa malignant melanomas and cutaneous melanomas.