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Updated: Mar 28, 2026

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
Molecular mechanisms of microRNAs in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transitions in human cancers
Jinlong Tang1, Yuan Li2, Jingyu Wang3
1Department of Pathology, The Second Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China.
Abstract:
The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) provides a strong driving force in the progression of various human cancers and the development of chemoresistance. Recently, numbers of studies have demonstrated that microRNAs (miRNAs), by post-transcriptionally silencing EMT-related molecules, can promote or inhibit the EMT process and play pivotal roles in effectively manipulating the occurrence, development, invasion, and metastasis of cancers. MiRNAs can also control the EMT or be controlled by genetic modification and mutual regulation, especially negative feedback. Therefore, miRNAs can be viewed as either oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes to facilitate or retard the EMT, resulting in far-reaching impact on tumor metastasis and effective diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) significantly influence cancer progression and chemoresistance by regulating the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). These molecules act as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, impacting cancer metastasis, diagnosis, and prognosis.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Genetics
Background:
- The epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key driver of human cancer progression and chemoresistance.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as critical regulators of EMT-related molecules.
Purpose of the Study:
- To elucidate the multifaceted roles of miRNAs in regulating the EMT process.
- To explore the implications of miRNA-mediated EMT control in cancer development, metastasis, and therapeutic strategies.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent studies on miRNA involvement in EMT.
- Analysis of miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional silencing of EMT-related genes.
- Investigation of miRNA-gene feedback loops in cancer.
Main Results:
- MiRNAs can either promote or inhibit EMT by targeting EMT-related molecules.
- MiRNAs exhibit complex regulatory interactions, including negative feedback loops, with EMT pathways.
- MiRNAs function as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors in the context of EMT.
Conclusions:
- MiRNAs play pivotal roles in controlling cancer occurrence, development, invasion, and metastasis via EMT regulation.
- Understanding miRNA-EMT interactions is crucial for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.
- MiRNAs offer potential as therapeutic targets for managing cancer progression and chemoresistance.
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