Survival associated mitochondrial melanoma specific oncogenic non-coding RNA (SAMMSON)

SAMMSON is a lineage-specific long non-coding RNA highly expressed in human melanomas and other cancers, but not detectable in normal melanocytes or most healthy tissues. It promotes melanoma progression and survival by regulating mitochondrial metabolism, rRNA maturation, and protein synthesis, as well as modulating oncogenic pathways such as Wnt, MAPK, PI3K, Akt, and p53. SAMMSON interacts with proteins such as p32, XRN2, and CARF, impacting mitochondrial function and biogenesis. Its expression is regulated by gene amplification and transcription factors like SOX10, often co-amplified with MITF. Targeting SAMMSON with antisense oligonucleotides leads to selective death in melanoma cells, making it a highly promising therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker.

Other names

SAMMSONLINC01212long intergenic non-protein coding RNA 1212survival associated mitochondrial melanoma specific oncogenic non-coding RNASAMMSON RNA

Antisense oligonucleotides (GapmeRs) bind specifically to SAMMSON RNA, resulting in its degradation (RNase H-mediated cleavage), leading to loss of mitochondrial function, reduced cell proliferation, and increased apoptosis in melanoma cells. Targeting SAMMSON disrupts mitochondrial biogenesis and metabolic reprogramming essential for melanoma cell survival.