Which of these genes promote epithelial-mesenchymal transition and are important metastatic genes in epithelial tumors?
High-Yield Explanation
Metasis oncogenes are SNAIL and TWIST, which encode transcription factors whose primary function is to promote epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
In EMT, carcinoma cells downregulate certain epithelial markers (e.g., E-cadherin) and upregulate certain mesenchymal markers (e.g., vimentin, smooth muscle actin).
EMT has been documented mainly in breast carcinoma.
Reference-Robbins BASIC PATHOLOGY 10th edition pg-223