Model systems of epithelium-mesenchyme transitions.
This contribution discusses which factors bring about the transformation of epithelium to mesenchyme. Amongst biological agents which have this role are a number of cytokines (e.g. EGF, FGF-1, TGF-beta, HGF/SF) and extracellular matrix macromolecules, such as collagens. The coordinated changes in cell morphology, associated with the induction of cell motility and the loss of inter-cellular junctions, are under the control of signaling molecules that transduce the signal emanating from the plasma membrane, which ultimately lead to changes in gene expression.
Boyer
B
B
Laboratoire de Dynamique et Compartimentation Cellulaires, UMR CNRS 144, Institut Curie Section de Recherche, Paris, France.
Vallés
A M
AM
Thiery
J P
JP
D000818:Animals; D002465:Cell Movement; D004848:Epithelium / Q000502:physiology; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology; D017629:Gap Junctions / Q000502:physiology; D018507:Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; D006133:Growth Substances / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008648:Mesoderm / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D015398:Signal Transduction
D006133:Growth Substances