PDK1 and SGK3 contribute to the growth of BRAF mutant melanomas and are potential therapeutic targets

Melanoma development involves members of the AGC kinase family including AKT, PKC and, most recently, PDK1, as elucidated recently in studies of Braf::Pten mutant melanomas. Here we report that PDK1 contributes functionally to skin pigmentation and to the development of melanomas harboring a wild-type PTEN genotype, which occurs in ~70% of human melanomas. The PDK1 substrate SGK3 was determined to be is an important mediator of PDK1 activities in melanoma cells. Genetic or pharmacological inhibition of PDK1 and SGK3 attenuated melanoma growth by inducing G1 phase cell cycle arrest. In a synthetic lethal screen, pan-PI3K inhibition synergized with PDK1 inhibition to suppress melanoma growth, suggesting that focused blockade of PDK1/PI3K signaling might offer a new therapeutic modality for wild-type PTEN tumors. We also noted that responsiveness to PDK1 inhibition associated with decreased expression of pigmentation genes and increased expression of cytokines and inflammatory genes, suggesting a method to stratify melanoma patients for PDK1-based therapies. Overall, our work highlights the potential significance of PDK1 as a therapeutic target to improve melanoma treatment.