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Updated: Feb 27, 2026

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
10:37

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition

Published on: August 27, 2013

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EMT transcription factors in cancer development re-evaluated: Beyond EMT and MET

Steven Goossens1, Niels Vandamme2, Pieter Van Vlierberghe3

  • 1Molecular Cellular Oncology Lab, Department for Biomedical Molecular Biology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Cancer Research Institute Ghent (CRIG), Ghent, Belgium.; Centre for Medical Genetics, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.

Biochimica Et Biophysica Acta. Reviews on Cancer
|July 4, 2017
PubMed

Insights

Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition transcription factors (EMT-TFs) like ZEB, SNAIL, and TWIST have functions beyond inducing cell invasion. Recent research shows these factors have broader roles in both normal development and disease progression.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial for carcinoma progression.
  • EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs) from the ZEB, SNAIL, and TWIST families are widely studied.
  • The established role of EMT-TFs is primarily as inducers of EMT.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To re-evaluate the functions of EMT-TFs.
  • To explore the pleiotropic roles of EMT-TFs beyond EMT induction.
  • To understand the involvement of EMT-TFs in various physiological and pathological conditions.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review and synthesis of recent findings on EMT-TFs.
  • Analysis of studies investigating EMT-TFs in diverse biological contexts.
  • Comparative analysis of EMT-TF functions across different cellular processes.

Main Results:

  • The definition of EMT-TFs solely as EMT-inducing factors is outdated.
  • EMT-TFs exhibit a wider range of functions than previously recognized.
  • These factors are implicated in numerous cellular processes beyond invasion and dissemination.

Conclusions:

  • EMT-TFs possess multifaceted roles in biological systems.
  • A broader perspective is needed to understand the complete functional scope of EMT-TFs.
  • Further research should explore these pleiotropic functions in health and disease.

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