Abstract
Invasion and metastasis are the hallmarks of malignant tumor progression and the main cause of death in cancer. The embryonic program "epithelial-mesenchymal transition" (EMT) is thought to trigger invasion by allowing tumor cell dissemination. Here, we describe that the EMT-inducing transcriptional repressor ZEB1 promotes colorectal cancer cell metastasis and loss of cell polarity. Thereby, ZEB1 suppresses the expression of cell polarity factors, in particular of Lgl2, which we found reduced in colorectal and breast cancers. We further show that retention of Lgl2 expression is critical for the epithelial phenotype and that its loss might be involved in metastasis. Thus, by linking EMT, loss of polarity, and metastasis, ZEB1 is a crucial promoter of malignant tumor progression.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
