Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a critical process in cancer cell metastasis, during which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal characteristics, including enhanced cell motility and migration. EMT is characterized by a loss of epithelial cell markers, such as cytokeratins and E-cadherin, followed by an upregulation in the expression of mesenchymal cell markers, such as N-cadherin, vimentin, and fibronectin.

These changes in epithelial and mesenchymal cell marker expression lead to a reduction in adhesion between the transitioning cell and adjacent epithelial cells and an increase in the secretion of enzymes that degrade the extracellular matrix. Collectively, this results in epithelial cells losing apical-basal cell polarity, reorganizing their cytoskeleton, and reprogramming gene expression, which allows the development of an invasive phenotype in cancer metastasis.

E-Cadherin

Decreased E-cadherin expression is a fundamental event in EMT and cancer metastasis and has emerged as a molecular hallmark of carcinoma EMT.​

Human pluripotent stem cells stained with anti-E-cadherin (ab40772).

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We recommend Recombinant Anti-E Cadherin antibody [EP700Y] (ab40772)

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References

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N-cadherin

The loss of E-cadherin is typically associated with a gain of expression of the mesenchymal marker, N-cadherin, in many cancer types. It is thought to be necessary for tumor cells to gain invasive properties.

The loss of E-cadherin is typically associated with a gain of expression of the mesenchymal marker, N-cadherin, in many cancer types. It is thought to be necessary for tumor cells to gain invasive properties.

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We recommend Anti-N Cadherin antibody (ab18203)

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References

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Vimentin

Overexpression of vimentin is correlated with increased invasiveness and metastasis of several cancers.

Immunohistochemistry (formalin/PFA-fixed paraffin-embedded sections) of human breast adenocarcinoma tissue stained using Recombinant Anti-Vimentin antibody [EPR3776] (ab92547).

We recommend

​We recommend Recombinant Anti-Vimentin antibody [EPR3776] (ab92547)

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References

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SNAIL

Alternative names SNAI1, SLUG, ZEB1, ZEB2

The change in the epithelial and mesenchymal gene expression that occurs during EMT is regulated by multiple transcription factor families, including SNAI1/Snail, ZEB1/ZEB2, and basic helix-loop-helix transcription factors (bHLH).

We recommend

​​We recommend Anti-SNAIL + SLUG antibody (ab180714)

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References

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References

E-Cadherin

Wells, A.,, et al. Clin & Exper Metastasis  25  (6),621–628 (2008)

N-cadherin

Jia, W.,, et al. Anticancer Res.  35  (5),2635-2643 (2015)

Vimentin

Vergara, D., et al EuPA Open Proteomics  10  ,31-41 (2016)

SNAIL

Lamouille, S.,, Xu, J.,, & Derynck, R. Nature Rev: Mol Cell Biol.  15 (3),178–196 (2014)