Snail, Zeb and bHLH factors in tumour progression: an alliance against the epithelial phenotype?

Nat Rev Cancer. 2007 Jun;7(6):415-28. doi: 10.1038/nrc2131. Epub 2007 May 17.

Abstract

The molecular mechanisms that underlie tumour progression are still poorly understood, but recently our knowledge of particular aspects of some of these processes has increased. Specifically, the identification of Snail, ZEB and some basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) factors as inducers of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and potent repressors of E-cadherin expression has opened new avenues of research with potential clinical implications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Cadherins / physiology*
  • Cell Adhesion
  • Cell Movement
  • Disease Progression
  • Epithelium / physiology*
  • Helix-Turn-Helix Motifs / physiology*
  • Homeodomain Proteins / physiology*
  • Humans
  • Models, Biological
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness*
  • Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Phenotype
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational
  • Repressor Proteins / physiology
  • Signal Transduction
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors / physiology*
  • Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Homeodomain Proteins
  • Repressor Proteins
  • Snail Family Transcription Factors
  • Transcription Factors
  • ZEB1 protein, human
  • Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1