Posttranscriptional regulation by RNA-binding proteins during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition

Cell Mol Life Sci. 2013 Dec;70(23):4463-77. doi: 10.1007/s00018-013-1379-0. Epub 2013 May 29.

Abstract

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), one of the crucial steps for carcinoma cells to acquire invasive capacity, results from the disruption of cell-cell contacts and the acquisition of a motile mesenchymal phenotype. Although the transcriptional events controlling EMT have been extensively studied, in recent years, several posttranscriptional mechanisms have emerged as critical in the regulation of EMT during tumor progression. In this review, we highlight the regulation of posttranscriptional events in EMT by RNA-binding proteins (RBPs). RBPs are responsible for controlling pre-mRNA splicing, capping, and polyadenylation, as well as mRNA export, turnover, localization, and translation. We discuss the most relevant aspects of RBPs controlling the metabolism of EMT-related mRNAs, and describe the implication of novel posttranscriptional mechanisms regulating EMT in response to different signaling pathways. Novel insight into posttranscriptional regulation of EMT by RBPs is uncovering new therapeutic targets in cancer invasion and metastasis.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Alternative Splicing
  • Animals
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition*
  • Humans
  • Models, Genetic
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional*
  • RNA, Messenger / genetics
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins