title: Epigenetic regulation of epithelial to mesenchymal transition.
abstract: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a vital process implemented in embryo development, organ fibrosis, and cancer metastasis. Several transcription factors and signaling pathways impinge on the transcriptional program of the cell, leading to the change of cell phenotype without alteration of genotype. Accumulating evidence suggests that epigenetic mechanisms play important roles in inducing EMT and orchestrating the heredity and reversibility of EMT. In this review, we discuss how DNA methylation, histone modifications, and microRNAs (miRNAs) act in a concerted manner to regulate EMT. 'Epigenetic therapies'-inhibitors of DNA methyltransferases and histone deacetylases as well as microRNAs are emerging as promising agents for cancer intervention.
authors.forename: Peiwei
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Huangyang
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Peking University Health Science Center, 38 Xue Yuan Road, Beijing 100191, China. yshang@hsc.pku.edu.cn.
authors.forename: Yongfeng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Shang
mesh_terms: D019175:DNA Methylation; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition / Q000235:genetics*; D006657:Histones / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics; D015398:Signal Transduction
chemical_list: D006657:Histones; D035683:MicroRNAs