Slug (SNAI2) expression in oral SCC cells results in altered cell-cell adhesion and increased motility.

ABSTRACT: The Snail family of zinc finger transcription factors plays an important role in epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in a variety of tissues and systems. Slug (SNAI2) expression has been shown to directly contribute to a subset of events required for EMT in events such as re-epithelialization during wound healing and neural crest cell migration. In addition, slug expression was shown to correlate with disease recurrence in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Based on this association we chose to specifically examine the effects of exogenous slug expression in HNSCC cells and specifically assess adhesive junction assembly and the motility characteristics in these cells. Slug expression led to changes in adherens junction and desmosome assembly characterized by a c

SUBMITTER: Katafiasz D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3210299 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Jul-Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature