Aspects of the Epigenetic Regulation of EMT Related to Cancer Metastasis
Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs during the pathological process associated with tumor progression and is considered to influence and promote the metastatic cascade. Characterized by loss of cell adhesion and apex base polarity, EMT enhances cell motility and metastasis. The key mar...
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MDPI AG
2021-12-01
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| Series: | Cells |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/12/3435 |
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| author | Ewa Nowak Ilona Bednarek |
| author_facet | Ewa Nowak Ilona Bednarek |
| author_sort | Ewa Nowak |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs during the pathological process associated with tumor progression and is considered to influence and promote the metastatic cascade. Characterized by loss of cell adhesion and apex base polarity, EMT enhances cell motility and metastasis. The key markers of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition are proteins characteristic of the epithelial phenotype, e.g., E-cadherin, cytokeratins, occludin, or desmoplakin, the concentration and activity of which are reduced during this process. On the other hand, as a result of acquiring the characteristics of mesenchymal cells, an increased amount of N-cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin, or vitronectin is observed. Importantly, epithelial cells undergo partial EMT where some of the cells show both epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics. The significant influence of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms is observed in the gene expression involved in EMT. Among the epigenetic modifications accompanying incorrect genetic reprogramming in cancer are changes in the level of DNA methylation within the CpG islands and posttranslational covalent changes of histone proteins. All observed modifications, which are stable but reversible changes, affect the level of gene expression leading to the development and progression of the disease, and consequently affect the uncontrolled growth of the population of cancer cells. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:25:42Z |
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| issn | 2073-4409 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:25:42Z |
| publishDate | 2021-12-01 |
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| spelling | doaj.art-552e4d7eeac349a4b9603614f3cd8e9f2023-11-23T07:37:45ZengMDPI AGCells2073-44092021-12-011012343510.3390/cells10123435Aspects of the Epigenetic Regulation of EMT Related to Cancer MetastasisEwa Nowak0Ilona Bednarek1Department of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, PolandDepartment of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, 40-055 Katowice, PolandEpithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) occurs during the pathological process associated with tumor progression and is considered to influence and promote the metastatic cascade. Characterized by loss of cell adhesion and apex base polarity, EMT enhances cell motility and metastasis. The key markers of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition are proteins characteristic of the epithelial phenotype, e.g., E-cadherin, cytokeratins, occludin, or desmoplakin, the concentration and activity of which are reduced during this process. On the other hand, as a result of acquiring the characteristics of mesenchymal cells, an increased amount of N-cadherin, vimentin, fibronectin, or vitronectin is observed. Importantly, epithelial cells undergo partial EMT where some of the cells show both epithelial and mesenchymal characteristics. The significant influence of epigenetic regulatory mechanisms is observed in the gene expression involved in EMT. Among the epigenetic modifications accompanying incorrect genetic reprogramming in cancer are changes in the level of DNA methylation within the CpG islands and posttranslational covalent changes of histone proteins. All observed modifications, which are stable but reversible changes, affect the level of gene expression leading to the development and progression of the disease, and consequently affect the uncontrolled growth of the population of cancer cells.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/12/3435epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)cancer metastasisepigenetic regulation of EMT biomarkers |
| spellingShingle | Ewa Nowak Ilona Bednarek Aspects of the Epigenetic Regulation of EMT Related to Cancer Metastasis Cells epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) cancer metastasis epigenetic regulation of EMT biomarkers |
| title | Aspects of the Epigenetic Regulation of EMT Related to Cancer Metastasis |
| title_full | Aspects of the Epigenetic Regulation of EMT Related to Cancer Metastasis |
| title_fullStr | Aspects of the Epigenetic Regulation of EMT Related to Cancer Metastasis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Aspects of the Epigenetic Regulation of EMT Related to Cancer Metastasis |
| title_short | Aspects of the Epigenetic Regulation of EMT Related to Cancer Metastasis |
| title_sort | aspects of the epigenetic regulation of emt related to cancer metastasis |
| topic | epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) cancer metastasis epigenetic regulation of EMT biomarkers |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4409/10/12/3435 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT ewanowak aspectsoftheepigeneticregulationofemtrelatedtocancermetastasis AT ilonabednarek aspectsoftheepigeneticregulationofemtrelatedtocancermetastasis |