A novel network integrating a miRNA-203/SNAI1 feedback loop which regulates epithelial to mesenchymal transition.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The majority of human cancer deaths are caused by metastasis. The metastatic dissemination is initiated by the breakdown of epithelial cell homeostasis. During this phenomenon, referred to as epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), cells change their genetic and trancriptomic program leading to phenotypic and functional alterations. The challenge of understanding this dynamic process resides in unraveling regulatory networks involving master transcription factors (e.g. SNAI1/2, ZEB1/2 and TWIST1) and microRNAs. Here we investigated microRNAs regulated by SNAI1 and their potential role in the regulatory networks underlying epithelial plasticity.

Results

By a large-scale analysis on epithelial plasticity, we highlighted miR-203 and its molecular link with SNAI1

SUBMITTER: Moes M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3325969 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature