Exploring the Correlation between Expression of EMT Transcription Factors and CXCR4 Expression

Metastasis is one the most leading cause of death from cancer. The chemokine receptor of CXCR4 has an important role in cell migration and cancer metastasis. Additionally, metastasis is always associated with the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In this study the correlation between expression of CXCR4 and EMT-TFs has been examined. The expression of CXCR4 in knocked out SUM159 cell line for EMT-TFs of slug, snail, twist and ZEB1 were examined. The results revealed that the expression of CXCR4 decreased significantly in twist and ZEB1 knocked out cells, however in other groups no change was observed. Decreased expression of CXCR4 indicated that ZEB1 and twist may be one of regulators of CXCR4 expression. ChIP assay should be performed in future experiments to see the definite role of ZEB1 and twist as transcription factors for CXCR4.