Skip to main content
Fig. 1 | Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research

Fig. 1

From: Non-coding RNAs and epithelial mesenchymal transition in cancer: molecular mechanisms and clinical implications

Fig. 1

miRNAs regulate the EMT process in cancer. miRNAs post-transcriptionally suppress the expression of key players of the EMT program at multiple levels. Initially, EMT is triggered upon activation of several pathways such as TGF-β and WNT/β-catenin signaling pathways. The multiple components of these signaling pathways are targeted by various miRNAs. Activation of these signaling pathways promotes the expression of EMT-inducing transcription factors (ZEB, SNAIL and TWIST) that function pleiotropically to induce the acquisition of the mesenchymal properties. These transcription factors bind to the promoter regions of specific miRNAs and regulate their expression. On the other hand, miRNAs can target the 3′UTRs of the mRNAs that encode these transcription factors. Some of these miRNAs and transcription factors form a double negative feedback loop. The TGF-β signaling pathway regulates cytoskeletal dynamics through regulating RhoA and CDC42, which are targeted by miRNAs. mRNAs encoding adhesion molecules such as E-cadherin and N-cadherin are also targeted by miRNAs. Green boxes represent an EMT inhibitory role by the indicated miRNAs, whereas red boxes represent the induction of the EMT process by the indicated miRNAs.

Back to article page