Intriguingly, enforced expression of GNAQ(Q209L) progressively eliminated melanocytes from the interfollicular epidermis in adults, possibly explaining the near absence of GNAQ(Q209) mutations in human epithelial melanomas.
Sequencing of melanoma driver genes revealed GNAQ (p.Q209L) mutations in two samples; although it is possible that these samples represent extraocular spread of an occult uveal melanoma.