Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 4, 2026
10:37
Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
Coordinating changes in cell adhesion and phenotype during EMT-like processes in cancer
1Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Weizmann Institute of Science Rehovot, 76100 Israel.
F1000 Biology Reports
|February 2, 2011
Summary
This review explores the link between epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cancer stem cells in cancer progression. It examines how these processes contribute to metastasis and challenges existing concepts.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cell Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Cancer metastasis involves complex cellular changes.
- Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process where epithelial cells gain motility.
- Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are implicated in tumor initiation and metastasis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature linking EMT and CSCs in cancer development.
- To discuss observations that challenge current understanding of EMT and CSCs in metastasis.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on EMT, CSCs, and cancer metastasis.
- Analysis of research findings and theoretical concepts.
Main Results:
- EMT facilitates cancer cell migration and invasion, crucial for metastasis.
- CSCs may arise from or be influenced by EMT processes.
- Some findings challenge the direct causal link or sequential nature of EMT and CSCs.
Conclusions:
- EMT and CSCs are interconnected in cancer progression and metastasis.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the complex interplay between EMT and CSCs.
- Challenging observations necessitate refining current models of cancer metastasis.
More Related Videos
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...
01:32Cytoskeletal Coordination in Cell Migration
A migrating cell changes its shape during the cyclic events of attachment and detachment from the substratum and repositions the cell organelles correspondingly. These complex events are orchestrated by the dynamic cytoskeletal network comprising actin filaments, intermediate filaments, and microtubules. Cytoskeletal crosstalk — the direct and indirect communication between the different components — is crucial for this coordination. Direct communication involves various linker proteins that...
01:19Cell Migration
Cell migration is a process by which the cells move from one location to another, playing an essential role in embryological development, repair and regeneration, immune response, and metastasis. Cells migrate in response to chemical or mechanical signals generated by specific organs or tissues. The overall mechanism includes three steps - polarization, protrusion, and release. Polarization involves the formation of a distinct cell front and rear, which determines the direction of movement.
01:09Cell Migration
Cell migration, the process by which cells move from one location to another, is essential for the proper development and viability of organisms throughout their life. When cells are not able to migrate properly to their ordained locations, various disorders may occur. For example, disruption in cell migration causes chronic inflammatory diseases such as arthritis.
01:21Chemotaxis and Direction of Cell Migration
Cells can detect chemical cues in their environment and reorganize the cytoskeleton to migrate toward them or away from them. This directional migration, called chemotaxis, is essential during embryogenesis and development, immune response, tissue repair and regeneration, and reproduction. These chemical cues can either attract or repel the cell's movement. For example, axon development is determined by a combination of chemoattractants and chemorepellents that direct the growing axon towards...
01:35Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia
Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However, invadopodia can...