ERK2-mediated phosphorylation of ZEB1 at S322 enhances PD-L1 expression and EMT, leading to pancreatic cancer progression.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) drives aggressive behaviour and unfavourable outcomes in this disease. The zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) transcription factor is pivotal in orchestrating EMT, promoting tumor cell mobility, metastasis, and immune evasion through phosphorylation events. However, the precise mechanisms underlying individual phosphorylation sites and their relationship with ZEB1's functions in vivo remain inadequately understood.

Methods

We assessed EMT using various techniques, including reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), immunoblotting, microscopy, migration, and invasion assays. ZEB1 knockdown was achieved via short hair

SUBMITTER: Park MK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12036305 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature