Fig. 1

Schematic representation of GPER and ERs functions in melanoma. Targeting ERβ with a new SERM. A GPER promotes the differentiation and inhibits the proliferation of melanoma cells. It contributes to the susceptibility to immune-mediated killing and its expression is inversely related to overall survival (OS). B ERα and ERβ genes expression during the different stages of melanoma progression. C ERα and ERβ are both expressed during early stages of melanoma (left side). The unbalanced expression of ERβ correlates with invasion, migration and Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) induced by Estradiol (E2) in melanoma cells, which can be inhibited by a new SERM, with a NO-releasing moiety (NO-SERM) and higher selectivity for ERβ