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Expression of the ZEB1 (δEF1) transcription factor in human: additional insights

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Abstract

The zinc finger E-box binding transcription factor ZEB1 (δEF1/Nil-2-a/AREB6/zfhx1a/TCF8/zfhep/BZP) is emerging as an important regulator of the epithelial to mesenchymal transitions (EMT) required for development and cancer metastasis. ZEB1 promotes EMT by repressing genes contributing to the epithelial phenotype while activating those associated with the mesenchymal phenotype. TCF8 (zfhx1a), the gene encoding ZEB1, is induced by several potentially oncogenic ligands including TGF-β, estrogen, and progesterone. TGF-β appears to activate EMT, at least in part, by inducing ZEB1. However, our understanding of how ZEB1 contributes to signaling pathways elicited by estrogen and progesterone is quite limited, as is our understanding of its functional roles in normal adult tissues. To begin to address these questions, a human tissue mRNA array analysis was done. In adults, the highest ZEB1 mRNA expression is in bladder and uterus, whereas in the fetus highest expression is in lung, thymus, and heart. To further investigate the regulation of TCF8 by estrogen, ZEB1 mRNA was measured in ten estrogen-responsive cell lines, but it is only induced in the OV266 ovarian carcinoma line. Although high expression of ZEB1 mRNA is estrogen-dependent in normal human ovarian and endometrial biopsies, high expression is estrogen-independent in late stage ovarian and endometrial carcinomas, raising the possibility that deregulated expression promotes cancer progression. In contrast, TCF8 is at least partially deleted in 4 of 5 well-differentiated, grade I endometrial carcinomas, which may contribute to their non-aggressive phenotype. These data support the contention that high ZEB1 encourages gynecologic carcinoma progression.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by NIH grants R01 DK40082 and DK061913 to MMS. The technical assistance of Michelle Hon is gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Stem Cell Section, Laboratory of Cancer Prevention, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute at Frederick, National Institutes of Health, Frederick, MD, 21702, USA

    Elaine M. Hurt

  2. Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, and Biophysics, The University of Minnesota, 6-155 Jackson Hall, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA

    Jessica N. Saykally & Michel M. Sanders

  3. Department of Chemistry, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN, 55112, USA

    Bynthia M. Anose

  4. Department of Oncology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Kimberly R. Kalli

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  1. Elaine M. Hurt
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  2. Jessica N. Saykally
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  5. Michel M. Sanders
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Correspondence to Michel M. Sanders.

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Hurt, E.M., Saykally, J.N., Anose, B.M. et al. Expression of the ZEB1 (δEF1) transcription factor in human: additional insights. Mol Cell Biochem 318, 89–99 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-008-9860-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11010-008-9860-z

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