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Updated: Sep 28, 2025

Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
Distinct cytosine modification profiles define epithelial-to-mesenchymal cell-state transitions
Min Kyung Lee1, Meredith S Brown2, Owen M Wilkins3
1Department of Epidemiology, Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA.
Abstract:
Background: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an early step in the invasion-metastasis cascade, involving progression through intermediate cell states. Due to challenges with isolating intermediate cell states, genome-wide cytosine modifications that define transition are not completely understood. Methods: The authors measured multiple DNA cytosine modification marks and chromatin accessibility across clonal populations residing in specific EMT states. Results: Clones exhibiting more intermediate EMT phenotypes demonstrated increased 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and decreased 5-methylcytosine. Open chromatin regions containing increased 5-hydroxymethylcytosine CpG loci were enriched in EMT transcription factor motifs and were associated with Rho GTPases. Conclusion: The results indicate the importance of both distinct and shared epigenetic profiles associated with EMT processes that may be targeted to prevent EMT progression.
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