Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 16, 2026

Studying TGF-β Signaling and TGF-β-induced Epithelial-to-mesenchymal Transition in Breast Cancer and Normal Cells
Published on: October 27, 2020
Elf5 inhibits TGF-β-driven epithelial-mesenchymal transition in prostate cancer by repressing SMAD3 activation
Bing Yao1, Jinsheng Zhao, Yalin Li
1Department of Urology, Tianjin Institute of Urology, The Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China.
Background:
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been associated with the acquisition of migration, invasiveness, and metastasis traits. During tumor progression, EMT can be induced by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) signal that epithelial cells receive from their microenvironment. However, the master regulatory controls on TGF-β-EMT axis are not understood.
Methods:
The protein expression in human specimens was measured by immunohistochemical staining. E74-like factor 5 (Elf5) was silenced by short interfering RNAs in LNCaP cells and stably overexpressed by HA-tagged Elf5 cDNAs in 22Rv1 cells. These cells were used to study migration and anchorage-independent growth.
Results:
Our data reveal that Elf5 results in the failure of mesenchymal morphogenesis, upregulation of EMT markers, spheres formation, and migration in the presence of TGF-β. Furthermore, Elf5 blocks TGF-β signaling, through decreasing drosophila mothers against decapentaplegic protein (SMAD3) activation by binding to it, one of the major effector of TGF-β-induced EMT. Moreover, Elf5 can serve as a prognostic marker of metastasis-free survival in patients with TGF-β-positive prostate cancer.
Conclusions:
Elf5 expression is inversely correlated with EMT. Elf5 inhibits TGF-β-driven EMT via repressing SMAD3 phosphorylation in prostate cancer cells. In addition, Elf5 can be used as a biomarker of metastasis-free survival in patients with TGF-β-positive prostate cancer.
Related Concept Videos
TGF - β Signaling Pathway
Mitogens and the Cell Cycle
Receptor Downregulation in MVBs
The EGFR can initiate signaling pathways that lead to cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation. Overexpression of EGFR stimulates cells to proliferate. Excessive EGFR...
Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal
The Tumor Microenvironment
Regulation of Angiogenesis and Blood Supply

