Molecular signaling of the epithelial to mesenchymal transition in generating and maintaining cancer stem cells.
The epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a highly conserved cellular program that allows polarized, well-differentiated epithelial cells to convert to unpolarized, motile mesenchymal cells. EMT is critical for appropriate embryogenesis and plays a crucial role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. Recent studies revealed that there is a direct link between the EMT program and the gain of epithelial stem cell properties. EMT is sufficient to induce a population with stem cell characteristics from well-differentiated epithelial cells and cancer cells. In this review, we briefly introduce the biology of EMT inducers and transcription factors in tumorigenesis and then focus on the role of these key players of the EMT in generating and maintaining cancer stem cells.
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for Cell Biology and Tumor Cell Engineering, School of Life Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen, China. oygldz@yahoo.com.cn
Gaoliang
G
Ouyang
Zhe
Z
Wang
Xiaoguang
X
Fang
Jia
J
Liu
Chaoyong James
CJ
Yang
D000818:Animals; D054337:Cell Dedifferentiation; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000235:genetics; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000235:genetics; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D059630:Mesenchymal Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics; D014411:Neoplastic Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000235:genetics*; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics
D014157:Transcription Factors