Role of cellular cytoskeleton in epithelial-mesenchymal transition process during cancer progression (Review)

  • Authors:
    • Bo Sun
    • Yantian Fang
    • Zhenyang Li
    • Zongyou Chen
    • Jianbin Xiang
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: July 27, 2015     https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2015.494
  • Pages: 603-610
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Abstract

Currently, cancer metastases remain a major clinical problem that highlights the importance of recognition of the metastatic process in cancer diagnosis and treatment. A critical process associated with the metastasis process is the transformation of epithelial cells toward the motile mesenchymal state, a process called epithelial‑mesenchymal transition (EMT). Increasing evidence suggests the crucial role of the cytoskeleton in the EMT process. The cytoskeleton is composed of the actin cytoskeleton, the microtubule network and the intermediate filaments that provide structural design and mechanical strength that is necessary for the EMT. The dynamic reorganization of the actin cytoskeleton is a prerequisite for the morphology, migration and invasion of cancer cells. The microtubule network is the cytoskeleton that provides the driving force during cell migration. Intermediate filaments are significantly rearranged, typically switching from cytokeratin‑rich to vimentin‑rich networks during the EMT process, accompanied by a greatly enhanced cell motility capacity. In the present review, the recent novel insights into the different cytoskeleton underlying EMT are summarized. There are numerous advances in our understanding of the fundamental role of the cytoskeleton in cancer cell invasion and migration.
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September-2015
Volume 3 Issue 5

Print ISSN: 2049-9434
Online ISSN:2049-9442

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Copy and paste a formatted citation
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Spandidos Publications style
Sun B, Fang Y, Li Z, Chen Z and Xiang J: Role of cellular cytoskeleton in epithelial-mesenchymal transition process during cancer progression (Review). Biomed Rep 3: 603-610, 2015.
APA
Sun, B., Fang, Y., Li, Z., Chen, Z., & Xiang, J. (2015). Role of cellular cytoskeleton in epithelial-mesenchymal transition process during cancer progression (Review). Biomedical Reports, 3, 603-610. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2015.494
MLA
Sun, B., Fang, Y., Li, Z., Chen, Z., Xiang, J."Role of cellular cytoskeleton in epithelial-mesenchymal transition process during cancer progression (Review)". Biomedical Reports 3.5 (2015): 603-610.
Chicago
Sun, B., Fang, Y., Li, Z., Chen, Z., Xiang, J."Role of cellular cytoskeleton in epithelial-mesenchymal transition process during cancer progression (Review)". Biomedical Reports 3, no. 5 (2015): 603-610. https://doi.org/10.3892/br.2015.494