Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 13, 2026

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
10:37

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Published on: August 27, 2013

(V600E)BRAF promotes invasiveness of thyroid cancer cells by decreasing E-cadherin expression through a

Pablo Baquero1, Irene Sánchez-Hernández, Eva Jiménez-Mora

  • 1Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Alcalá, Madrid, Spain.

Cancer Letters
|February 26, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Targeting BRAF oncogenes in thyroid cancer with PLX4720 inhibits cancer cell migration and invasion. This BRAF signaling pathway involves MEK/ERK and Snail, offering a new therapeutic strategy for thyroid tumors.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • BRAF is a key oncogene implicated in human thyroid cancer development.
  • The V600E BRAF mutation is frequently observed in thyroid tumors, driving cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of BRAF signaling in thyroid cancer cell migration and invasion.
  • To explore the underlying molecular mechanisms, including the MEK/ERK pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Main Methods:

  • Utilized siRNA to deplete BRAF and pharmacological inhibitors (PLX4720 for BRAF, U0126 for MEK).
  • Assessed cell migration and invasion assays.
  • Quantified the expression levels of Snail and E-cadherin.

Main Results:

  • BRAF inhibition (PLX4720) or depletion (siRNA) reduced thyroid cancer cell migration and invasion.
  • These effects were mediated by the MEK/ERK pathway, as confirmed by U0126 treatment.
  • Overexpression of V600E BRAF enhanced cell migration and invasion.
  • Upregulation of Snail and downregulation of E-cadherin were observed, indicating EMT induction.

Conclusions:

  • A novel mechanism of V600E BRAF-induced thyroid tumor progression via Snail/E-cadherin pathway is identified.
  • BRAF inhibition presents a promising therapeutic strategy for controlling thyroid cancer progression.

More Related Videos

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells08:54

An Immunofluorescent Method for Characterization of Barrett’s Esophagus Cells

Published on: July 20, 2014

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice07:02

In Vivo Inhibition of MicroRNA to Decrease Tumor Growth in Mice

Published on: August 23, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Cadherins in Tissue Organization01:19

Cadherins 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...
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia01:35

Cancer 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...
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions01:17

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal01:22

Role 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.
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs01:15

Receptor Downregulation in MVBs

Multivesicular bodies (MVBs) are mature endosomes that sort ubiquitinated proteins and then fuse with lysosomes to degrade the sorted proteins. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and its receptor (EGFR) form a complex that can be internalized through endocytosis, sorted into an MVB, and later degraded.
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that  lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR  stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive  EGFR activation may...
The Retinoblastoma Gene01:20

The Retinoblastoma Gene

Tumor suppressor genes are normal genes that can slow down cell division, repair DNA mistakes, or program the cells for apoptosis in case of irreparable damage. Hence, they play an essential role in preventing the proliferation of damaged cells.
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...