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SNAI1 ablation alters integrin-mediated adhesion and endocytic fate

Chrysoula Tsirigoti1,2, Mohamad Moustafa Ali1, Anita Morén1

  • 1Department of Medical Biochemistry and Microbiology, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden.

Cell Death & Disease
|August 12, 2026
PubMed

Insights

The transcription factor SNAI1 regulates cancer cell plasticity and invasiveness by controlling membrane trafficking. SNAI1 impacts cell adhesion and extracellular vesicle (EV) secretion through the FOXA1 transcription factor.

Area of Science:

  • Molecular Biology
  • Cell Biology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Transcription factor SNAI1 is crucial for cancer cell plasticity and invasiveness.
  • Understanding SNAI1's regulatory mechanisms is key to targeting cancer progression.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the role of SNAI1 in regulating cell adhesion, endocytosis, and extracellular vesicle (EV) secretion.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which SNAI1 influences these cellular processes, particularly in triple-negative breast cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Genome-wide transcriptomic analysis of SNAI1 knockout breast cancer cells.
  • Functional screening of differentially expressed genes and investigation of protein interactions.
  • Cellular assays assessing adhesion, invadopodia formation, endocytosis, and EV dynamics.

Main Results:

  • SNAI1 knockout led to downregulation of integrin-based adhesion and endocytic components.
  • SNAI1 represses FOXA1, which in turn regulates ARF6/PSD4 signaling and impacts integrin/MMP gene expression.
  • SNAI1 knockout cells showed impaired adhesion, defective focal adhesions, reduced endocytosis, and decreased EV secretion.

Conclusions:

  • The SNAI1-FOXA1 transcriptional axis controls membrane and vesicular trafficking.
  • This mechanism links cell plasticity, adhesion, and invasiveness with extracellular vesicle secretion in cancer cells.

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