Since the mutation burden, including UV signature mutations, increases at all stages as melanoma progresses from benign lesion through to metastasis (Shain et al. 2015), BRN2 expression in melanoma may provide a protective mechanism against apoptosis triggered by DNA damage arising in the primary sun-exposed lesion or in cells undergoing replicative stress as the tumor expands. The gene discussed is POU3F2; the disease is neoplasm.