Unraveling epigenetic regulation of epithelial mesenchymal transition

Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a naturally occurred transdifferentiation of epithelial cells that encompasses their plasticity and involves conversion from epithelial to mesenchymal phenotypes (1-3). EMT is a common program in embryonic development, organ fibrogenesis and cancer metastasis. The cells undergone EMT have been evidenced with cancer cell stemness and resistance to chemotherapy (4). Several recent studies on EMT, particularly in cancer entity, have moved forward to better understand molecular mechanisms underlying EMT and its regulation. Since EMT can be modulated by several factors at multiple steps, integrative information of EMT regulation at transcription, post-transcription, post-translation and epigenetic levels is thus required for the new approach on EMT-related cancer therapy (5).