Molecular mechanisms of MAZ targeting up-regulation of NDUFS3 expression to promote malignant progression in melanoma

Myc-associated Zinc-finger Protein (MAZ) has been implicated in the malignant progression of various tumors. However, its expression and functional relationship of MAZ in melanoma have not been previously investigated. This study confirms elevated expression of MAZ in melanoma, correlating with poor patient prognosis. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate that MAZ enhances melanoma progression by promoting proliferation, migration and invasion. It is worth noting that we found that MAZ can target and regulate the transcription of NADH dehydrogenase [ubiquinone] iron-sulfur protein 3 (NDUFS3), a core subunit of mitochondrial complex I, to enhance mitochondrial metabolism and thus promote malignant progression of melanoma. Predictive modeling indicates that the co-expression of MAZ and NDUFS3 could serve as a potential prognostic marker for melanoma patients.