The PRELP mRNA expression levels were lower in primary melanoma lesions than in normal skin (log2FC = − 1.245 and p = 2.485e−3) and further reduced in metastasis (log2FC = − 0.558 and p = 3.047e−2) (Fig. 1C), but independent of nodal metastasis status, disease stage, patient’s age and gender (Additional file 1: Fig. S1C; GEO ID: GSE7553) [69]. Here, PRELP is linked to melanoma.