Open AccessExpression and activity of SNAIL transcription factor during Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) in cancer progression
Author(s) -
Izabela Papiewska-Pająk,
M. Anna Kowalska,
Joanna Boncela
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
postępy higieny i medycyny doświadczalnej
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.275
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1732-2693
pISSN - 0032-5449
DOI - 10.5604/17322693.1219401
Subject(s) - snail , biology , transcription factor , epithelial–mesenchymal transition , epigenetics , cancer research , microbiology and biotechnology , chromatin , dna methylation , cdh1 , regulation of gene expression , gene expression , gene , cadherin , genetics , cell , downregulation and upregulation , ecology
Inhibition of E-cadherin gene expression by transcription factor SNAIL is known to be a crucial element of Epithelial to Mesenchymal Transition; EMT. Epigenetic regulation of E-cadherin expression is regulated by SNAIL binding to E-box sequences in the CDH1 gene promoter and recruiting enzymes belonging to repressor complexes that are directly engaged in histone modifications and DNA methylation leading to the modification of chromatin structure. SNAIL involvement in cell acquisition of invasive phenotype is based on direct suppression of tight-junction and gap junction proteins. The nuclear localization of SNAIL is required for SNAIL activity and protects this factor from proteasomal degradation in the cytoplasm. The main factor engaged in that process is GSK- 3β kinase. Expression and stability of SNAIL is regulated on the transctriptional and posttranscriptional levels by a number of signaling molecules and biological factors, for example: TGF-β, TNF-α, ILK and NFκB. The expression of SNAIL in cancer cells is also regulated by micro-RNA, mainly by miR-34. Increased expression of SNAIL, observed in many human cancers, has been correlated with increased resistance to chemio-, radio - or immunotherapy, gain of cancer stem cells features and migrative and invasive characteristics, which leads to tumor metastases. Understanding of the SNAIL's mechanism of action may lead to new treatment strategies in cancer directed to interfere with signaling pathways that either activate SNAIL or are activated by SNAIL.