Researchers identify super-oncogenic protein that promotes development of melanoma

A malicious form of ATF2, a protein that drives the formation of melanoma, has been discovered by a research team. In a new study, researchers looked at the oncogenic potential of a 'dead' form of ATF2 in mice with mutations in BRAF, a kinase that transmits signals promoting cell division and is often mutated in pigmented skin cells. The same mutation is found in about half of all human melanomas.