Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 10, 2026

Epigenetic Regulation of Cardiac Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells and Tissues
13:03

Epigenetic Regulation of Cardiac Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells and Tissues

Published on: June 3, 2016

8.6K

The Epigenetic Factor KDM2B Regulates EMT and Small GTPases in Colon Tumor Cells

Nefeli Zacharopoulou1, Anna Tsapara1, Galatea Kallergi1

  • 1Department of Biochemistry, University of Crete Medical School, Voutes, Heraklion, Greece.

Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry : International Journal of Experimental Cellular Physiology, Biochemistry, and Pharmacology
|May 18, 2018
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

The epigenetic factor KDM2B regulates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and small GTPase expression in colon tumor cells. This histone demethylase plays a role in cancer progression and cell signaling.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Epigenetics
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • KDM2B is an epigenetic factor and histone demethylase found in various tumors.
  • KDM2B influences actin cytoskeleton, Rho GTPases, cell adhesion, and migration in prostate cancer cells.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of KDM2B in regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and small GTPases expression in colon tumor cells.

Main Methods:

  • Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for gene expression analysis.
  • Western blotting for protein level assessment.
  • Immunofluorescence microscopy for protein localization.

Main Results:

  • KDM2B knockdown in HCT116 cells upregulated epithelial markers (E-cadherin, ZO-1) and downregulated mesenchymal marker (N-cadherin), indicating inhibition of EMT.
  • KDM2B overexpression had the opposite effect, promoting EMT.
  • KDM2B modulated the protein levels of RhoA, RhoB, RhoC, and Rac1 GTPases in colon and prostate cancer cells.

Conclusions:

  • KDM2B plays a significant role in regulating EMT and small GTPase expression in colon tumor cells.
  • These findings support the oncogenic role of KDM2B in various cancers.
Keywords:
Colon cancerEMTKDM2BSmall-GTPases

More Related Videos

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome07:23

Describing a Transcription Factor Dependent Regulation of the MicroRNA Transcriptome

Published on: June 15, 2016

9.0K
The Establishment of a Lung Colonization Assay for Circulating Tumor Cell Visualization in Lung Tissues07:39

The Establishment of a Lung Colonization Assay for Circulating Tumor Cell Visualization in Lung Tissues

Published on: June 16, 2018

9.9K

Related Concept Videos

GTPases and their Regulation02:14

GTPases and their Regulation

Guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G-proteins), also known as GTPases, are a superfamily of proteins that regulate many cellular processes, such as cell signaling, vesicular transport, and the regulation of cell shape and motility. Mutation or dysfunction of these proteins can lead to disease. There are around 40,000 known G-proteins that can broadly be classified into two groups ‒  small G-proteins consisting of a single domain and large multi-domain G-proteins.
Large G-proteins,...
9.9K
GTPases and their Regulation02:14

GTPases and their Regulation

3.0K
Epigenetic Regulation01:46

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
33.9K
Epigenetic Regulation01:37

Epigenetic Regulation

Epigenetic changes alter the physical structure of the DNA without changing the genetic sequence and often regulate whether genes are turned on or off. This regulation ensures that each cell produces only proteins necessary for its function. For example, proteins that promote bone growth are not produced in muscle cells. Epigenetic mechanisms play an essential role in healthy development. Conversely, precisely regulated epigenetic mechanisms are disrupted in diseases like cancer.
X-chromosome...
3.9K
The Colonization of Land02:22

The Colonization of Land

Changes in the environment of the early Earth drove the evolution of organisms. As prokaryotic organisms in the oceans began to photosynthesize, they produced oxygen. Eventually, oxygen saturated the oceans and entered the air, resulting in an increase in atmospheric oxygen concentration, known as the oxygen revolution approximately 2.3 billion years ago. Therefore, organisms that could use oxygen for cellular respiration had an advantage. More than 1.5 years ago, eukaryotic cells and...
37.8K
Transcription Factors02:16

Transcription Factors

Tissue-specific transcription factors contribute to diverse cellular functions in mammals. For example, the gene for beta globin, a major component of hemoglobin, is present in all cells of the body. However, it is only expressed in red blood cells because the transcription factors that can bind to the promoter sequences of the beta globin gene are only expressed in these cells. Tissue-specific transcription factors also ensure that mutations in these factors may impair only the function of...
82.9K