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Updated: Jul 6, 2026
Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
Gene expression profiling to identify genes associated with high-invasiveness in human squamous cell carcinoma with
Koichiro Higashikawa1, Shingo Yoneda, Masayuki Taki
1Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Division of Cervico-Gnathostomatology, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-2-3, Kasimi, Minami-ku, Hiroshima 734-8553, Japan. khigashi@hiroshima-u.ac.jp
Abstract:
The process of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) involves the acquisition of high-invasiveness by tumor. Snail represses target genes and induces EMT. In this study, we defined the signatures of gene expressions by cDNA microarray analyses in both human squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cell lines with spontaneous EMT and with Snail-induced EMT, which exhibited high-invasive behavior in vitro. Of the 17,000 cDNA probes, 61 genes were found differentially expressed with >2- or <0.5-fold ratio and shared among the EMT phenotype cell lines, indicating candidates for invasion-associated genes regulated by Snail. Category analysis showed that these genes were mainly classified as development/differentiation, metabolism, apoptosis, angiogenesis and cell adhesion. These data illustrated that Snail regulates various molecular pathways for the establishment of EMT and the acquisition of high-invasiveness in SCC cells, yielding insight into the progression of SCC.
Insights
The study identified 61 genes linked to tumor invasion during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Snail, a key regulator, influences these genes, impacting squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) progression and invasiveness.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial for tumor invasiveness.
- Snail is a transcription factor that induces EMT by repressing target genes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To define gene expression signatures associated with EMT in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).
- To identify invasion-associated genes regulated by Snail in SCC.
Main Methods:
- cDNA microarray analysis was performed on human SCC cell lines with spontaneous and Snail-induced EMT.
- Differential gene expression analysis identified 61 shared genes between EMT phenotypes.
Main Results:
- 61 differentially expressed genes (>2- or <0.5-fold) were identified and shared across EMT cell lines.
- These genes are implicated in development, differentiation, metabolism, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and cell adhesion.
- Snail was confirmed to regulate pathways critical for EMT and SCC invasiveness.
Conclusions:
- Snail plays a significant role in regulating molecular pathways that establish EMT and enhance SCC cell invasiveness.
- The identified gene signatures provide insight into SCC progression and potential therapeutic targets.
