EMT transcription factors in cancer development re-evaluated: Beyond EMT and MET

Biochim Biophys Acta Rev Cancer. 2017 Dec;1868(2):584-591. doi: 10.1016/j.bbcan.2017.06.006. Epub 2017 Jun 29.

Abstract

Reactivation of an embryonic epithelial-to-mesenchymal (EMT) program is commonly accepted as a core component of carcinoma progression. Collectively, EMT and transcription factors (EMT-TFs) of the ZEB, SNAIL and TWIST families are quoted in the same breath for nearly 20years. Recent work on these EMT-TFs has extended their scope, and their typical definition as EMT-inducing factors has become out-of-date. New insights have warranted a re-evaluation of these transcription factors and their pleiotropic functions in physiological and pathological conditions, not solely limited to cell invasion and dissemination.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Neoplasms / etiology*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / physiology
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Tumor Microenvironment
  • Twist Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1 / physiology*

Substances

  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Twist Transcription Factors
  • ZEB1 protein, human
  • Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1