The following lines of evidence support this hypothesis: (i) in dogs, the degree of expression of candidate oncogenes of CFA 30 is correlated with the copy number; (ii) these genes appear to be essential in a majority of human cell lines (TRPM7 and USP8); and (iii) they are associated with a shorter survival time in cutaneous melanomas. The gene discussed is USP8; the disease is cutaneous melanoma.