Epithelial mesenchymal transition Transcription Factor (TF): The structure, function and microRNA feedback loop

Gene. 2018 Oct 20:674:115-120. doi: 10.1016/j.gene.2018.06.049. Epub 2018 Jun 21.

Abstract

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a phenomenon in which epithelial cells lose their cell to cell adhesion and detach from the base of the membrane. EMT is a fundamental process which occurs during tumor progression and metastasis. Cancer genomics is a complex network which involves a variety of factors such as transcription factors (TFs), coding genes and microRNAs (miRs). Both TFs and miRs are trans-regulatory elements that crosstalk. Due to a wide range of targets, TF-miR interaction provides a feedback or feedforward loop and cross-gene regulation consequently. In this review, we focused on the structure and function of two TF families involved in EMT, zinc finger and β helix loop helix and p53. Subsequently we analyzed recent findings on TF-miR interaction in EMT.

Keywords: EMT; Metastasis; TF; miRNA.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / genetics*
  • Feedback, Physiological
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism

Substances

  • Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors
  • MicroRNAs
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53