SPP1 and melanoma: There are several conserved GLI-binding motifs important for SOX9 expression in its extended 5′ flanking region (up to 1.1 Mb).18, 40 Whereas Gli1 seems important for Sox9 expression during chondrogenesis41 and for a SOX9-independent effect on OPN expression in malignant melanoma,15 the transcription factor was poorly detected in our models of liver fibrosis.