Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 2, 2025

Induction of Mesenchymal-Epithelial Transitions in Sarcoma Cells
Published on: April 7, 2017
Intersection between calcium signalling and epithelial-mesenchymal plasticity in the context of cancer
Ellen K Janke1, Silke B Chalmers2, Sarah J Roberts-Thomson1
1School of Pharmacy, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, Queensland, 4102, Australia.
Abstract:
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a form of cellular phenotypic plasticity and is considered a crucial step in the progression of many cancers. The calcium ion (Ca2+) acts as a ubiquitous second messenger and is implicated in many cellular processes, including cell death, migration, invasion and more recently EMT. Throughout this review, the complex interplay between Ca2+ signalling and EMT will be explored. An overview of the Ca2+ pathways that are remodelled as a consequence of EMT is provided and the role of Ca2+ signalling in regulating EMT and its significance is considered. Ca2+ signalling pathways may represent a therapeutic opportunity to regulate EMT. However, as will be described in this review, the complexity of these signalling pathways represents significant challenges that must be considered if Ca2+ signalling is to be manipulated with the aim of therapeutic intervention in cancer.
Related Concept Videos
Cadherins in Tissue Organization
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...
Cell-matrix's Response to Mechanical Forces
Anchoring junctions mechanically attach a cell to the...
Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
The Tumor Microenvironment
Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia
Overview of Cell-Matrix Interactions

