Specific GATA factors act as conserved inducers of an endodermal-EMT

Campbell, Kira; Whissell, Gavin, 1978-; Franco-Marro, Xavier; Batlle Gómez, Eduard; Casanova, Jordi

doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.devcel.2011.10.005

Specific GATA factors act as conserved inducers of an endodermal-EMT

Citació

Campbell K, Whissell G, Franch-Marro X, Batlle E, Casanova J. Specific GATA/nfactors act as conserved inducers of an endodermal-EMT. Dev Cell. 2011 Dec/n13; 21(6):1051-61. DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2011.10.005

Resum

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) converts cells from static epithelial to migratory mesenchymal states (Hay, 1995). Here, we demonstrate that EMT in the Drosophila endoderm is dependent on the GATA-factor Serpent (Srp), and that Srp acts as a potent trigger for this transition when activated ectopically. We show that Srp affects endodermal-EMT through a downregulation of junctional dE-Cadherin (dE-Cad) protein, without a block in its transcription. Moreover, the relocalization of dE-Cad is achieved through the direct repression of crumbs (crb) by Srp. Finally, we show that hGATA-6, an ortholog of Srp, induces a similar transition in mammalian cells. Similar to Srp, hGATA-6 acts through the downregulation of junctional E-Cad, without blocking its transcription, and induces the repression of a Crumbs ortholog, crb2. Together, these results identify a set of GATA factors as a conserved alternative trigger to repress epithelial characteristics and confer migratory capabilities on epithelial cells in development and pathogenesis.