Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026
10:37
Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
LOXL2 in epithelial cell plasticity and tumor progression
Amparo Cano1, Patricia G Santamaría, Gema Moreno-Bueno
1Departamento de Bioquímica, UAM, Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas Alberto Sols CSIC-UAM, IdiPAZ, Arzobispo Morcillo, 2, 28029 Madrid, Spain. acano@iib.uam.es
Future Oncology (London, England)
|October 4, 2012
Summary
Lysyl oxidase-like 2 (LOXL2) impacts tumor progression and metastasis through extracellular matrix remodeling and intracellular functions. Intracellular LOXL2 expression correlates with poor prognosis and metastasis in certain cancers, suggesting therapeutic potential.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Lysyl oxidase family members regulate tumor progression.
- LOXL2 is implicated in the progression and metastasis of various cancers, including breast carcinomas.
- LOXL2 exhibits both secreted functions in extracellular matrix remodeling and intracellular roles.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the multifaceted roles of LOXL2 in cancer.
- To highlight the significance of intracellular LOXL2 expression in tumor progression and metastasis.
- To explore the therapeutic implications of LOXL2's functions.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on LOXL2.
- Analysis of LOXL2's extracellular matrix remodeling functions.
- Investigation of LOXL2's intracellular regulatory mechanisms, including transcriptional repression.
Main Results:
- Secreted LOXL2 remodels the tumor microenvironment's extracellular matrix.
- Intracellular LOXL2 regulates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, cell polarity, and differentiation.
- Intracellular (perinuclear) LOXL2 expression is linked to poor prognosis and distant metastasis in specific cancers like larynx squamous cell carcinoma and basal breast carcinomas.
Conclusions:
- LOXL2 possesses diverse functions critical to tumor progression.
- Intracellular LOXL2 localization is a significant prognostic indicator.
- Targeting LOXL2 presents a promising therapeutic strategy for cancer treatment.
Related Concept Videos
02:23Abnormal Proliferation
Under normal conditions, most adult cells remain in a non-proliferative state unless stimulated by internal or external factors to replace lost cells. Abnormal cell proliferation is a condition in which the cell's growth exceeds and is uncoordinated with normal cells. In such situations, cell division persists in the same excessive manner even after cessation of the stimuli, leading to persistent tumors. The tumor arises from the damaged cells that replicate to pass the damage to the daughter...
01:22Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.
01:12Role Of Notch Signalling In Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
Notch signaling was first discovered in Drosophila melanogaster, where it is involved in cell lineage differentiation. Notch signaling regulates the maintenance and differentiation of intestinal stem cells or ISCs by controlling the expression of atonal homolog 1 or Atoh1. Atoh1 directs cells to differentiate into secretory cells.
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
Direct cell-to-cell contact is needed for the activation of Notch signaling. The signal is initiated when a notch ligand binds to a receptor on an adjacent cell, also...
02:30Metastasis
Metastasis is the spread of cancer cells from the original site to distant locations in the body. Cancer cells can spread via blood vessels (hematogenous) as well as lymph vessels in the body.
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
02:39lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
In humans, more than 80% of the genome gets transcribed. However, only around 2% of the genome codes for proteins. The remaining part produces non-coding RNAs which includes ribosomal RNAs, transfer RNAs, telomerase RNAs, and regulatory RNAs, among other types. A large number of regulatory non-coding RNAs have been classified into two groups depending upon their length – small non-coding RNAs, such as microRNA, which are less than 200 nucleotides in length, and long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)...
02:07Tumor Progression
Tumor progression is a phenomenon where the pre-formed tumor acquires successive mutations to become clinically more aggressive and malignant. In the 1950s, Foulds first described the stepwise progression of cancer cells through successive stages.
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...