Anti-apoptotic proteins on guard of melanoma cell survival

Apoptosis plays a pivotal role in sustaining proper tissue development and homeostasis. Evading apoptosis by cancer cells is a part of their adaption to microenvironment and therapies. Cellular integrity is predominantly maintained by pro-survival members of Bcl-2 family and IAPs. Melanoma cells are characterized by a labile and stage-dependent phenotype. Pro-survival molecules can protect melanoma cells from apoptosis and mediate other processes, thus enhancing aggressive phenotype. The essential role of Bcl-2, Mcl-1, Bcl-XL, livin, survivin and XIAP was implicated for melanoma, often in a tumor stage-dependent fashion. In this review, the current knowledge of pro-survival machinery in melanoma is discussed.

► We reviewed the profiles of anti-apoptotic protein expression in melanoma.
► Current data indicate melanoma stage-dependent expression of pro-survival proteins.
► Melanoma-specific genes regulate the expression of pro-survival proteins.
► Anti-apoptotic proteins contribute to apoptosis-unrelated processes.