Oncogenic functions of the EMT-related transcription factor ZEB1 in breast cancer.

Hua-Tao Wu, Hui-Ting Zhong, Guan-Wu Li, Jia-Xin Shen, Qian-Qian Ye, Man-Li Zhang, Jing Liu

Journal: Journal of translational medicine 2021;18(1):51

PMID: 32014049

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Abstract

Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1, also termed TCF8 and δEF1) is a crucial member of the zinc finger-homeodomain transcription factor family, originally identified as a binding protein of the lens-specific δ1-crystalline enhancer and is a pivotal transcription factor in the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. ZEB1 also plays a vital role in embryonic development and cancer progression, including breast cancer progression. Increasing evidence suggests that ZEB1 stimulates tumor cells with mesenchymal traits and promotes multidrug resistance, proliferation, and metastasis, indicating the importance of ZEB1-induced EMT in cancer development. ZEB1 expression is regulated by multiple signaling pathways and components, including TGF-β, β-catenin, miRNA and other factors. Here, we summarize the recent discoveries of the functions and mechanisms of ZEB1 to understand the role of ZEB1 in EMT regulation in breast cancer.

Address: Department of General Surgery, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China.; Changjiang Scholar's Laboratory/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China.; Open Laboratory for Tumor Molecular Biology, Department of Biochemistry, The Key Lab of Molecular Biology for High Cancer Incidence Coastal Chaoshan Area, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, People's Republic of China.; Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, People's Republic of China.; Department of Physiology/Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China.; Changjiang Scholar's Laboratory/Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Breast Cancer, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China. [email protected].; Department of Physiology/Cancer Research Center, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China. [email protected].

DOI: 10.1186/s12967-020-02240-z

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Medical:

https://medlineplus.gov/breastcancer.html

Research Materials:

https://antibodies.cancer.gov/detail/CPTC-LBX1-2

MeSH Terms: Breast Neoplasms, Cell Line, Tumor, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Homeodomain Proteins, Humans, Transcription Factors, Zinc Finger E-box-Binding Homeobox 1