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Updated: Jul 22, 2025
Induction and Analysis of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition
Published on: August 27, 2013
Expression of dual-specificity phosphatases in TGFß1-induced EMT in SKOV3 cells
Sabire Güler1, Abdullah Yalçın2
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Bursa Uludag University, Bursa, Turkey.
Background:
The study aims to profile the dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSP) expression in response to Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1)-induced epithelial- mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ovarian adenocarcinoma cells.
Methods:
The ovarian adenocarcinoma cell line SKOV3 was used as a TGFβ1-induced EMT model. Cells were incubated with 5 ng/mL TGFβ1 to induce EMT. EMT was confirmed with real-time qPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence analyses of various EMT markers. Western blot was used to analyze phospho- and total MAPK protein levels. Typical and atypical DUSPs mRNA expression profile was determined by real-time qPCR.
Results:
The epithelial marker E-cadherin expressions were decreased and mesenchymal EMT markers Snail and Slug expression levelswere increased after TGFβ1 induction. Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK were enhanced in response to TGFβ1 treatment. The expression of DUSP2, DUSP6, DUSP8, DUSP10, and DUSP13 were decreased while DUSP7, DUSP16, DUSP18, DUSP21, and DUSP27 were increased by TGFβ1.
Discussion:
TGFβ1 induced EMT which was accompanied by increased activity of MAPKs, and led to marked changes in expressions of several DUSPs in SKOV3 cells.
Insights
Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) induces epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ovarian cancer cells, altering dual-specificity phosphatase (DUSP) expression and increasing mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) activity.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Ovarian adenocarcinoma progression involves epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
- Dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSP) play roles in cellular signaling pathways.
- Transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1) is a key inducer of EMT.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression profile of dual-specificity phosphatases (DUSP) during TGFβ1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in ovarian adenocarcinoma cells.
- To analyze the impact of TGFβ1 on MAPK signaling pathways in the context of EMT.
Main Methods:
- Ovarian adenocarcinoma SKOV3 cells were treated with TGFβ1 to induce EMT.
- EMT was validated using real-time qPCR, western blot, and immunofluorescence for EMT markers.
- DUSP mRNA expression and MAPK phosphorylation levels were assessed via real-time qPCR and western blot, respectively.
Main Results:
- TGFβ1 treatment decreased E-cadherin and increased Snail and Slug expression, confirming EMT.
- Phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK was elevated post-TGFβ1 induction.
- Specific DUSP members (DUSP2, 6, 8, 10, 13) decreased, while others (DUSP7, 16, 18, 21, 27) increased.
Conclusions:
- TGFβ1-induced EMT in SKOV3 cells is associated with heightened MAPK activity.
- EMT significantly alters the expression patterns of various DUSP family members in ovarian cancer cells.
