Eya2 is required to mediate the pro-metastatic functions of Six1 via the induction of TGF-β signaling, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and cancer stem cell properties.

ABSTRACT: Six1 is a critical regulator of embryonic development that requires interaction with the Eya family of proteins (Eya1-4) to activate the transcription of genes involved in neurogenesis, myogenesis and nephrogenesis. Although expression of Six1 and Eya family members is predominantly observed in development, their overexpression is observed in numerous cancers. Importantly, both Six1 and Eya have independently been shown to mediate breast cancer metastasis, but whether they functionally interact during tumor progression has not been explored. Herein, we demonstrate that knockdown of Eya2 in MCF7 mammary carcinoma cells reverses the ability of Six1 to induce transforming growth factor-β signaling, as well as to induce characteristics associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition and canc

SUBMITTER: Farabaugh SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3183358 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature