The functions of F-box proteins in regulating the epithelial to mesenchymal transition

Epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been unraveled to regulate the tumor invasion and metastasis processes. In this review, in order to better understand the regulatory mechanisms of EMT, we describe that F-box proteins could be critically involved in regulating the EMT process in human cancers. Specifically, we discuss how these F-box proteins directly control the stability of EMT regulators such as E-cadherin, β-catenin, Twist, Slug, Snail and ZEB. Moreover, we summary mechanistically how the F-box proteins govern EMT progression through regulation of EMT inducers including Notch, NF-κB, Akt, Hedgehog, mTOR, and HIF-1α. Therefore, targeting these F-box proteins could be useful for treating human cancers.