How the gene STAG2 changes immune signals in melanoma through DNA folding
Regulation of interferon signaling in melanoma by the cohesin complex protein STAG2 via 3D genome organization
This work looks at how loss of a gene called STAG2 changes immune signaling in melanoma cells and may affect tumor immune behavior.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Cedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Los Angeles, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11170510 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient viewpoint, researchers will turn off STAG2 in melanoma cells and map how the tumor DNA folds in three dimensions to see which genes get switched on or off. They will use laboratory tools that read gene activity (RNA-seq), protein-DNA binding (ChIP-seq), and 3D genome contacts (Hi-C) to find connections between STAG2 loss and immune pathways. Early results point to IRF9 activation, stronger type I interferon signaling, and higher PD-L1 levels after STAG2 loss, and the team will test those links more thoroughly. The goal is to understand whether these molecular changes could influence how melanoma responds to immune-based treatments.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: The most relevant patients would be people with melanoma, particularly those whose tumors have STAG2 mutations or who are being considered for immunotherapy.
Not a fit: People without melanoma or whose tumors do not show STAG2-related changes are unlikely to gain direct clinical benefit from this laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If confirmed, this could identify biomarkers or molecular targets (for example STAG2 or IRF9-related changes) that help predict or improve response to immunotherapy for melanoma patients.
How similar studies have performed: Previous laboratory studies have shown cohesin and STAG2 can reshape 3D genome folding and alter gene expression, but linking STAG2 loss specifically to interferon signaling and PD-L1 in melanoma is a newer, early-stage finding.
Where this research is happening
Los Angeles, United States
- Cedars-Sinai Medical Center — Los Angeles, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Zheng, Bin — Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Zheng, Bin
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.