Loss of NF1 accelerates uveal and intra-dermal melanoma tumorigenesis and oncogenic GNAQ transforms Schwann cells.

NF1 encodes the multifunctional tumour suppressor protein, neurofibromin, which is best known for its causative role in Neurofibromatosis type 1 and in regulating MAPK signaling. Neurofibromin, in a context-specific manner, is involved in various tumorigenic processes, including those in melanocytes. This study investigated whether NF1 loss can collaborate with oncogenic GNAQ to promote melanoma in the dermis or eyes, where the G alpha q pathway is almost always activated.