Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
09:58
Mapping the Structure-Function Relationships of Disordered Oncogenic Transcription Factors Using Transcriptomic Analysis
Published on: June 27, 2020
TWISTing an embryonic transcription factor into an oncoprotein
Oncogene
|April 13, 2010
Summary
TWIST embryonic transcription factors, when reactivated, promote cancer growth and metastasis. This review explores TWIST
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Developmental Biology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Reactivation of TWIST embryonic transcription factors is common in many cancers.
- TWIST's embryonic functions are hijacked by cancers, promoting oncogenesis and metastasis.
- This reactivation serves as a marker of poor prognosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the history and recent breakthroughs in understanding TWIST protein functions.
- To discuss the role of TWIST in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) during tumorigenesis.
- To explore the broader contribution of reactivated embryonic programs in cancer development.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of existing research on TWIST transcription factors.
- Analysis of studies linking TWIST to cancer progression and metastasis.
- Synthesis of information on EMT and embryonic program reactivation in cancer.
Main Results:
- TWIST plays a critical role in promoting cancer cell migration and invasion.
- The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key mechanism by which TWIST confers metastatic properties.
- Reactivating embryonic programs, including TWIST, contributes significantly to cancerogenesis.
Conclusions:
- TWIST reactivation is a significant driver of cancer progression and metastasis.
- Targeting TWIST or related embryonic pathways may offer novel therapeutic strategies.
- Understanding the reactivation of embryonic programs is crucial for cancer research.
Related Concept Videos
01:06Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that divide and produce different cell types. Ordinarily, cells that have differentiated into a specific cell type are terminally differentiated; however, scientists have found a way to reprogram these mature cells so that they dedifferentiate and return to an unspecialized, proliferative state. These cells are pluripotent like embryonic stem cells—able to produce all cell types—and are called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
Somatic cells are...
Somatic cells are...
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
01:33Cancer-Critical Genes I: Proto-oncogenes
Genes usually encode proteins necessary for the proper functioning of a healthy cell. Mutations can often cause changes to the gene expression pattern, thereby altering the phenotype.
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
When the function of certain critical genes, especially those involved in cell cycle regulation and cell growth signaling cascades, gets disrupted, it upsets the cell cycle progression. Such cells with unchecked cell cycles start proliferating uncontrollably and eventually develop into tumors.
Such genes that act...
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...
01:24Methods of Nuclear Reprogramming
Nuclear reprogramming is a process of transforming one cell type into an unrelated cell type by epigenetic changes that alter the cell’s original gene expression pattern. Such epigenetic changes force cells to express a different set of genes, which play a significant role in inducing transformation into other cell types. Nuclear reprogramming offers applications in reproductive cloning for livestock propagation and regenerative medicine — developing patient-specific cells for injury repair.
01:30General Transcription Factors
Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...