MCU controls melanoma progression through a redox‐controlled phenotype switch

Abstract

Abstract Melanoma is the deadliest of skin cancers and has a high tendency to metastasize to distant organs. Calcium and metabolic signals contribute to melanoma invasiveness; however, the underlying molecular details are elusive. The MCU complex is a major route for calcium into the mitochondrial matrix but whether MCU affects melanoma pathobiology was not understood. Here, we show that MCU A expression correlates with melanoma patient survival and is decreased in BRAF kinase inhibitor‐resistant melanomas. Knockdown (KD) of MCU A suppresses melanoma cell growth and stimulates migration and invasion. In melanoma xenografts, MCU A_KD reduces tumor volumes but promotes lung metastases. Proteomic analyses and protein microarrays identify pathways that link MCU A and melanoma cell phenotype and suggest a major role for redox regulation. Antioxidants enhance melanoma cell migration, while prooxidants diminish the MCU A_KD ‐induced invasive phenotype. Furthermore, MCU A_KD increases melanoma cell resistance to immunotherapies and ferroptosis. Collectively, we demonstrate that MCU A controls melanoma aggressive behavior and therapeutic sensitivity. Manipulations of mitochondrial calcium and redox homeostasis, in combination with current therapies, should be considered in treating advanced melanoma.