Oncogenic roles of EMT-inducing transcription factors

Nat Cell Biol. 2014 Jun;16(6):488-94. doi: 10.1038/ncb2976.

Abstract

The plasticity of cancer cells underlies their capacity to adapt to the selective pressures they encounter during tumour development. Aberrant reactivation of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), an essential embryonic process, can promote cancer cell plasticity and fuel both tumour initiation and metastatic spread. Here we discuss the roles of EMT-inducing transcription factors in creating a pro-tumorigenic setting characterized by an intrinsic ability to withstand oncogenic insults through the mitigation of p53-dependent oncosuppressive functions and the gain of stemness-related properties.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / pathology
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition* / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms / pathology
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / metabolism
  • Neoplastic Stem Cells / pathology
  • Oncogene Proteins / genetics
  • Oncogene Proteins / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Tumor Microenvironment
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / genetics
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism

Substances

  • Oncogene Proteins
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53