TGF-beta signaling in cancer: post-transcriptional regulation of EMT via hnRNP E1

Cytokine. 2019 Jun:118:19-26. doi: 10.1016/j.cyto.2017.12.032. Epub 2018 Feb 1.

Abstract

The TGFβ signaling pathway is a critical regulator of cancer progression in part through induction of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT). This process is aberrantly activated in cancer cells, facilitating invasion of the basement membrane, survival in the circulatory system, and dissemination to distant organs. The mechanisms through which epithelial cells transition to a mesenchymal state involve coordinated transcriptional and post-transcriptional control of gene expression. One such mechanism of control is through the RNA binding protein hnRNP E1, which regulates splicing and translation of a cohort of EMT and stemness-associated transcripts. A growing body of evidence indicates a major role for hnRNP E1 in the control of epithelial cell plasticity, especially in the context of carcinoma progression. Here, we review the multiple mechanisms through which hnRNP E1 functions to control EMT and metastatic progression.

Keywords: EMT; Metastasis; TGFβ signaling; hnRNP E1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • RNA Processing, Post-Transcriptional / genetics*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics*
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta / genetics*

Substances

  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Transforming Growth Factor beta