Research data for article: Characterization of two melanoma cell lines resistant to BRAF/MEK inhibitors (vemurafenib and cobimetinib)

This research aimed to shed more light on the features of melanoma cells resistant to BRAF (v-raf murine sarcoma viral oncogene homolog B1)/MEK (mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase) inhibitors treatment. In this study, we indicated that the resistant cells exhibit increased survival and activation of ERK kinase in the presence of BRAF/MEK inhibitors. The IC50 values for these cells are over 1000 times higher than for controls. Resistant cells also exhibit elevated activation of AKT, p38, and JNK signaling pathways with increased expression of EGFR, ErbB2, MET, and PDGFRβ receptors as well as reduced expression of ErbB3 receptor. Furthermore, these cells demonstrate increased expression of genes encoding proteins involved in drug transport and metabolism. Resistant cells also exhibit features of epithelial-mesenchymal transition and cancer stem cells, as well as a reduced proliferation rate and elevated cytokine secretion.

Data submitted to the repository are initial, unprocessed experiment results. Individual folders (named after the type of research they concern) contain the output data for all technical repetitions of the experiments performed and a .txt file with a description of the samples and the research method used. In the case of viability and proliferation tests, initial data are absorbance measurements obtained from treating cells with the XTT test, contained in Excel files. Data concerning the Western blotting method are photos of membranes (tiff) with bands present on them corresponding to specific proteins. Data obtained as a result of qPCR analysis are presented in the form of Excel files containing Ct (threshold cycle) values ​​for selected genes expressed by cells at the mRNA level. Data concerning spheroids are their photos (tiff) taken using a confocal microscope after staining the spheroids for the presence of filamentous actin. Data concerning cell morphology are photos of cells (tiff) taken without their staining, in phase contrast. Data concerning the cytokine array are photos (tiff) of membranes with dots, indicating the presence of specific cytokines in the secretome of given cells. Data related to the cell cycle are Excel files containing information on the percentage of cells in a given phase of the cell cycle during the analysis and PDF files containing, among other things, graphs presenting the results of the experiments performed.