GNA11

Overview

GNA11 encodes the alpha-11 subunit of heterotrimeric G-proteins, which couples G-protein-coupled receptors to downstream signaling pathways. In melanoma, activating mutations in GNA11 (and the closely related GNAQ) are key oncogenic drivers, particularly in uveal melanoma. It was reported as a recurrently mutated gene in the Broad melanoma WES cohort.

Alterations observed in the corpus

Somatic mutations detected in melanoma WES cohort (Broad, 121 tumors) PMID:22817889
Rare Q209 hotspot in Triple-WT cutaneous melanoma (typically uveal-melanoma driver); co-occurs with SF3B1 R625H but not BAP1 mutations PMID:26091043
Most frequent driver in the uveal melanoma cohort (26683228): 14 samples with p.Q209P; mutually exclusive with GNAQ mutations; activates Gαq downstream signaling PMID:26683228

Cancer types (linked)

MEL (melanoma): Recurrently mutated; G-protein alpha subunit activating mutations drive MAPK and PI3K pathway activation PMID:22817889

Co-occurrence and mutual exclusivity

No co-occurrence or mutual exclusivity data reported in the corpus for this cohort.

Therapeutic relevance

GNA11-mutant melanoma (primarily uveal subtype) lacks effective targeted therapies; MEK inhibitors have been explored but show limited durable responses.

Open questions

Frequency and subtype distribution of GNA11 mutations in the Broad cutaneous melanoma cohort require further characterization.

Sources

This page was processed by crosslinker on 2026-05-14. - PMID:26683228

This page was processed by crosslinker on 2026-05-14.