Regulation of transcription factor Twist expression by the DNA architectural protein high mobility group A2 during epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition.

ABSTRACT: Deciphering molecular mechanisms that control epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) contributes to our understanding of how tumor cells become invasive and competent for intravasation. We have established that transforming growth factor β activates Smad proteins, which induce expression of the embryonic factor high mobility group A2 (HMGA2), which causes mesenchymal transition. HMGA2 associates with Smad complexes and induces expression of an established regulator of EMT, the zinc finger transcription factor Snail. We now show that HMGA2 can also induce expression of a second regulator of EMT, the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Twist. Silencing of endogenous Twist demonstrated that this protein acts in a partially redundant manner together with Snail. Double silencing of

SUBMITTER: Tan EJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3293571 | biostudies-literature | 2012 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature