Increased Expression of MET and RON Receptor Tyrosine Kinases in Canine Cutaneous Melanotic Tumor

Aberrant translocation of β-catenin can be induced by the dissociation of cadherin-catenin complex, which is mediated by the activation of receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). We examined the expression levels of MET/RON RTKs in tissue samples of canine cutaneous melanotic tumor. The activation of MET/RON RTKs was observed in 28% of the examined samples. Our results indicate the possibility that the activated MET/RON RTKs are implicated in the dissociation of cadherin-catenin complex in canine cutaneous melanotic tumor.