Snail, Zeb and bHLH factors in tumour progression: an alliance against the epithelial phenotype?

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Abstract
This article reviews how the identification of Snail, ZEB and some basic helix–loop–helix (bHLH) factors as inducers of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and potent repressors of E cadherin expression has opened new avenues for cancer research with potential clinical implications. The molecular mechanisms that underlie tumour progression are still poorly understood, but recently our knowledge of particular aspects of some of these processes has increased. Specifically, the identification of Snail, ZEB and some basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) factors as inducers of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and potent repressors of E-cadherin expression has opened new avenues of research with potential clinical implications.