Summary
Cells lose adhesion and gain motility, important in gastrulation, healing and cancer spread.
In depth
Cells downregulate E-cadherin through Snail and Twist, gain migration and invasive ability. EMT occurs in gastrulation, neural crest formation, wound healing and cancer metastasis; the reverse (MET) occurs when cells settle.
EMT is regulated by TGF-β, Wnt and Notch signalling. Partial EMT states exist. In cancer, EMT is linked to invasion, stemness and therapy resistance.
Remember: the reverse process, MET, lets migrating cells form new epithelia.
In epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), tightly connected epithelial cells lose adhesion (reduced E-cadherin) and polarity, gain a motile mesenchymal character and may invade. Transcription factors such as Snail, Slug, Twist and Zeb drive it.
EMT occurs in gastrulation, neural crest delamination and heart valve formation, and in adults in wound healing and fibrosis. Cancer cells hijack it to metastasise, and the reverse process (MET) lets them settle and form new tumours. The state is often partial and reversible.
Example: neural crest cells leave the neural tube through EMT.
Key idea: the same programme is used in normal development and disease.
Frequently asked questions
What is Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition?
Cells lose adhesion and gain motility, important in gastrulation, healing and cancer spread.
Which area of biology covers Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, and how advanced is it?
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition is one of the 54 topics in Developmental Biology. It is rated Advanced, so it suits learners who want specialist depth. Related topics in this area include Regenerative Development, Neural Crest Cells, Cell Migration in Embryo.
Can you give an example of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition?
Fibrosis involves EMT-like changes.
What should I learn before Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition?
Work through the Beginner topics in Developmental Biology first, such as Fertilisation, Zygote, Embryo, then return to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. Advanced topics assume the Intermediate vocabulary.
What topics are related to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition?
The closest topics to Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition are Regenerative Development, Neural Crest Cells, Cell Migration in Embryo, Pluripotency. Comparing them side by side is a good way to see how the ideas connect.
How can I check that I understand Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition?
Read the summary and the in-depth section, then use the quick check on the interactive lesson for Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition. To practise the whole of Developmental Biology, use the Developmental Biology quiz.
How is Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition different from Regenerative Development?
Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition: Cells lose adhesion and gain motility, important in gastrulation, healing and cancer spread. Regenerative Development: Some animals reactivate developmental programs to regrow organs after injury. Read both side by side and note what each one explains.
How should I study Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition step by step?
First, read the summary and write the definition in your own words. Second, read the in-depth section and note any example. Third, compare it with Regenerative Development and explain the difference aloud. Finally, take the Developmental Biology quiz and come back to this page for any question you miss.