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Updated: Jul 24, 2025

A Mimic of the Tumor Microenvironment: A Simple Method for Generating Enriched Cell Populations and Investigating Intercellular Communication
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Emerging roles of the MiT/TFE factors in cancer

Roberto Zoncu1, Rushika M Perera2

  • 1Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of California at Berkeley, Berkeley, CA 94720, USA.

Trends in Cancer
|July 3, 2023
PubMed

Insights

The microphthalmia/transcription factor E (MiT/TFE) family of transcription factors are key regulators of cellular processes. Their dysregulation is implicated in various cancers, influencing survival and potentially promoting tumorigenesis.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cellular Biology
  • Oncology

Background:

  • The microphthalmia/transcription factor E (MiT/TFE) family, including TFEB, TFE3, MITF, and TFEC, are crucial regulators of cellular catabolism and quality control.
  • These transcription factors (TFs) are subject to complex regulatory mechanisms affecting their localization, stability, and activity.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent findings on the novel regulatory mechanisms and activity of MiT/TFE proteins.
  • To explore the role of MiT/TFE factors in aggressive human cancers.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of recent studies on MiT/TFE transcription factors.
  • Analysis of regulatory mechanisms and their impact on cancer.

Main Results:

  • MiT/TFE TFs are involved in diverse stress-adaptation pathways in a context- and tissue-dependent manner.
  • Upregulation of MiT/TFE factors aids cancer cell survival under stress.
  • Reduced MiT/TFE activity may also contribute to cancer development.

Conclusions:

  • MiT/TFE proteins have a multifaceted role in cancer, acting as both drivers and potential suppressors depending on context.
  • Understanding MiT/TFE regulation is critical for developing novel cancer therapies.
Keywords:
TFE3TFEBautophagycancerlysosomemTORC1metabolism

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