FIGURE 6.

Model of GRASLND’s function in melanoma differentiation and immune response. GRASLND is predominantly expressed in differentiated, melanocytic and MITF^high melanomas. A knockdown of this lncRNA induces phenotype switching towards a dedifferentiated cell state, characterized by low MITF levels and reduced PKR expression. Further, elevated GRASLND levels appear to impair melanoma antigen presentation by attenuating the response to IFNγ through direct interaction with PKR, which suppresses STAT1-mediated transcription. Downregulation of GRASLND leads to the enhancement of IFNγ target genes expression, indicating that melanoma cells may upregulate this lncRNA as a mechanism to evade immune cell recognition. Figure created with Biorender.com.