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Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
10:37

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Published on: August 27, 2013

Expression of the transcription factor snail and its target gene twist are associated with malignancy in

Jens Waldmann1, Emily P Slater, Peter Langer

  • 1Department of Surgery, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany. jwaldman@med.uni-marburg.de

Annals of Surgical Oncology
|May 5, 2009
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers Snail and Twist are expressed in pheochromocytomas (PCC). Their increased expression correlates with malignant PCC, suggesting a role in tumor progression.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is induced by the zinc-finger transcription factor Snail.
  • Twist, a Snail target gene, promotes metastasis.
  • EMT is increasingly recognized for its role in tumor progression and metastasis.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the expression of EMT markers Snail and Twist in pheochromocytomas (PCC).
  • To correlate Snail and Twist expression with PCC malignancy and clinical characteristics.

Main Methods:

  • Immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction were used to assess Snail, Twist, and E-cadherin expression.
  • The study included 12 malignant and 35 benign PCC samples.
  • Expression data were correlated with clinical and genetic features.

Main Results:

  • Snail was expressed in 28% of PCC, with higher expression in malignant (58%) versus benign (17%) cases (P = 0.01).
  • Twist was expressed in 66% of PCC, significantly higher in malignant (92%) versus benign (57%) cases (P = 0.03).
  • E-cadherin expression was minimal, and both Snail and Twist were detected in all PCC metastases.

Conclusions:

  • Snail and Twist expression is reported for the first time in PCC.
  • Increased Snail and Twist expression is associated with PCC malignancy.
  • These findings support a role for EMT in the malignant transformation of PCC.

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