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SOX4: Joining the Master Regulators of Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition?

Ana Rita Lourenço1, Paul J Coffer1

  • 1Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Regenerative Medicine Center, University Medical Center Utrecht, Uppsalalaan 6, Utrecht, The Netherlands.

Trends in Cancer
|August 8, 2017
PubMed

Insights

SOX4 is proposed as a master regulator of the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). This transcription factor promotes cancer cell migration, invasion, stemness, and apoptosis resistance, key aspects of EMT.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cancer Research
  • Developmental Biology

Background:

  • The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is crucial for development and cancer progression.
  • Master regulators like Snail and ZEB orchestrate EMT.
  • SOX4 is implicated in tumorigenesis, promoting cell migration and stemness.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose SOX4 as a master regulator of EMT.
  • To review the molecular mechanisms of SOX4 in EMT.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review
  • Analysis of molecular mechanisms
  • Cancer biology research

Main Results:

  • SOX4 drives key EMT features including migration, invasion, stemness, and apoptosis resistance.
  • SOX4's role in promoting tumorigenesis is linked to its regulation of EMT.

Conclusions:

  • SOX4 functions as a master regulator of EMT.
  • Understanding SOX4's mechanisms offers therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.

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