Hybrid channels containing the dupα7 subunit mediate resistance to α7-nAChR targeting therapy in metastatic melanoma

American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology 2026 Open access

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Authors: Artem V. Kirichenko, Maxim L. Bychkov, Dmitry S. Kulbatskii, Olga V. Shlepova, Mikhail A. Shulepko, Tamara Ya. Gornostaeva, Philipp S. Orekhov, Alexander S. Paramonov, Irina N. Mikhaylova, Olga S. Burova, Igor Aleksandrovich Medyanik, Konstantin S. Yashin
+5 more Hongshuang Wang, Xiaohui Wang, Mikhail P. Kirpichnikov, Захар О. Шенкарев, Ekaterina N. Lyukmanova
DOI: 10.1152/ajpcell.00730.2025
Cited by: 1
References: 81

Abstract

Metastatic melanoma is aggressive skin tumor often resistant to standard therapies. High α7-nAChR expression negatively correlates with survival of patients with metastatic melanoma, who are characterized by SLURP-1 drop in the plasma. Targeting α7-nAChR with recombinant SLURP-1 could significantly suppress metastatic melanoma cell migration; however, overexpression of human-specific dupα7 subunit forming hybrid α7/dupα7-nAChRs causes melanoma resistance to SLURP-1. This resistance can be overcome by the SLURP-1 mimicking peptide Oncotag, which exhibits activity against hybrid α7/dupα7-nAChRs.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study Ion channel regulation and function Ion Channels and Receptors

Publication details

Journal / source
American Journal of Physiology-Cell Physiology
Publisher
American Physiological Society
Volume
330
Issue
5
Pages
C1491–C1508
Publication date
16 April 2026
Language
EN