Sox4, EMT programs, and the metastatic progression of breast cancers: mastering the masters of EMT

Breast Cancer Res. 2013;15(4):R72. doi: 10.1186/bcr3466.

Abstract

Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) programs require the expression of a variety of so-called master regulators of EMT, including members of the Snail, Zeb, and Twist transcription factor families. Teleologically, the requirement for such a diverse group of 'master regulators' seems evolutionarily cumbersome, and emerging evidence indicates that these transcription factors do in fact mediate unique and specialized functions, suggesting the existence of higher-order 'masters' that truly direct and coordinate EMT programs. Accordingly, Tiwari and colleagues recently delineated an elegant pathway wherein transforming growth factor-beta stimulates Sox4 expression, which induces that of the histone methyltransferase, Ezh2, thereby reprogramming the epigenome to elicit EMT programs and metastasis of breast cancers. This viewpoint highlights Sox4 as a 'new' master of EMT programs and metastatic breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Review
  • Comment

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Epigenesis, Genetic*
  • Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Mammary Neoplasms, Experimental / genetics*
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 / genetics*
  • SOXC Transcription Factors / physiology*

Substances

  • SOXC Transcription Factors
  • Polycomb Repressive Complex 2