Melanomas of the oral cavity are a model of mucosal melanomaDriver genes in these mucosal melanomas: NRAS, TP53, PTEN, NF1, and KRASMAPK and PI3K/AKT pathways involved in mucosal melanoma formation and progressionMelanomas of the footpad or nail bed are models of acral melanomaClinical trials are performed in dogs with melanoma. The gene discussed is AKT1; the disease is mucosal melanoma.