Analysis of Rho GTPase signalling pathways in an epithelial to mesenchymal transition during development of the mesoderm

来源于上皮组织的癌症进展的关键步骤是从上皮细胞类型转变为可扩散到身体其他部位的迁移性间充质细胞类型。细胞行为的这种变化也发生在某些正常组织类型的发育过程中，显然是通过类似的机制。在这里，我们建议使用这一过程的动物模型，再加上先进的分子遗传学和细胞生物学技术，研究一个新发现的细胞信号传导机制所需的细胞从上皮细胞的形式过渡到间充质形式。了解这一新途径中的分子步骤并发现新的相关基因将为理解和预防癌细胞转移提供工具。

A critical step in the progression of cancers that are derived from epithelial tissues is a transition from an epithelial cell type to a migratory mesenchymal cell type that can spread to other parts of the body. This change in cell behaviour also occurs, apparently by a similar mechanism, during the development of some normal tissue types. Here we propose to use an animal model of this process, coupled with advanced molecular genetic and cell biological techniques, to investigate a newly discovered cell signalling mechanism required for the transition of cells from an epithelial form to a mesenchymal form. Understanding the molecular steps in this new pathway and discovering new genes involved will provide tools for understanding and preventing the metastasis of cancer cells.