Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 4, 2026
10:10
HOX Loci Focused CRISPR/sgRNA Library Screening Identifying Critical CTCF Boundaries
Published on: March 31, 2019
Polycomb complex 2 is required for E-cadherin repression by the Snail1 transcription factor
Nicolás Herranz1, Diego Pasini, Víctor M Díaz
1Programa de Recerca en Càncer, IMIM-Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain.
Molecular and Cellular Biology
|June 4, 2008
Summary
The transcription factor Snail1 recruits Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) to the E-cadherin (CDH1) gene promoter. This interaction is crucial for Snail1 to repress CDH1 expression during epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Epigenetics
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Snail1 is a key transcription factor that represses E-cadherin (CDH1) gene expression.
- CDH1 is essential for maintaining epithelial cell adhesion.
- Snail1's repression of CDH1 is a critical step in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of Polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) in Snail1-mediated CDH1 repression.
- To elucidate the mechanism by which Snail1 regulates CDH1 expression.
Main Methods:
- Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assays to assess protein binding and histone modifications.
- Coimmunoprecipitation experiments to detect protein-protein interactions.
- Analysis of CDH1 mRNA levels in embryonic stem cells and tumor cells with altered PRC2 activity.
Main Results:
- Snail1-mediated repression of CDH1 is dependent on PRC2 activity.
- PRC2 component Suz12 is recruited to the CDH1 promoter by Snail1.
- Snail1 interacts with PRC2 components Suz12 and Ezh2, leading to H3K27 trimethylation on the CDH1 promoter.
Conclusions:
- Snail1 recruits PRC2 to the CDH1 promoter.
- PRC2 activity is required for Snail1 to effectively repress CDH1 expression.
- This mechanism highlights a novel epigenetic regulation of CDH1 during EMT.
More Related Videos
09:58An Optimized Protocol for Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay Using Infrared Fluorescent Dye-labeled Oligonucleotides
Published on: November 29, 2016
10:26Toxicological Assays for Testing Effects of an Epigenetic Drug on Development, Fecundity and Survivorship of Malaria Mosquitoes
Published on: January 16, 2015
Related Concept Videos
01:19Cadherins in Tissue Organization
The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
02:33Hedgehog Signaling Pathway
The Hedgehog gene (Hh) was first discovered due to its control of the growth of disorganized, hair-like bristles phenotype in Drosophila, much like hedgehog spines. Hh plays a crucial role in the development of organs and the maintenance of homeostasis in both invertebrates and vertebrates. However, while Drosophila has only one Hh protein, mammals have multiple functional Hedgehog proteins - Sonic (Shh), Desert (Dhh), and Indian Hedgehog (Ihh). All of these homologous proteins have adapted to...
02:33Combinatorial Gene Control
Combinatorial gene control is the synergistic action of several transcriptional factors to regulate the expression of a single gene. The absence of one or more of these factors may lead to a significant difference in the level of gene expression or repression.
The expression of more than 30,000 genes is controlled by approximately 2000-3000 transcription factors. This is possible because a single transcription factor can recognize more than one regulatory sequence. The specificity in gene...
The expression of more than 30,000 genes is controlled by approximately 2000-3000 transcription factors. This is possible because a single transcription factor can recognize more than one regulatory sequence. The specificity in gene...
01:25Structure of Cadherins
The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins” is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This diversity of cadherins...
02:23Master Transcription Regulators
Master transcription regulators are regulatory proteins that are predominantly responsible for regulating the expression of multiple genes. Often these genes work in concert to drive a complex process. Activation of a master transcription regulator can lead to a cascade of transcriptional activation necessary for that outcome. These regulators can directly bind to the regulatory sequences of the various genes involved, or they can indirectly regulate transcription by binding to regulatory...