E2F1 amplication and genetic heterogeneity in melanoma.

Amplification and increased expression of the transcription factor E2F1 occurs (and may be common in) melanoma and presumably promotes melanoma cell proliferation. Previous work indicates that most melanomas contain genetic alterations in either the MAPK or Rb pathways and that a clinical classification based upon melanoma primary location and the presence or absence of chronic sun-induced damage predicts for distinct patterns of genetic alteration. E2F1 may cooperate with alterations in the MAPK or Rb pathways in the promotion of proliferation in many or most types of melanoma and may become a target for therapeutic intervention.