The expression of epithelial mesenchymal transition related factors in human colorectal cancer cell lines

Purpose: Epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a well characterized embryological process thought to play a vital role in tumor progression. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of EMT-related factors and then use EMT status to identify high metastatic potential in commonly used human colorectal cancer cell lines. Methods: In 11 commonly used cell lines, total mRNA expression levels were checked for the cell markers E-cadherin, vimentin, N-cadherin, and fibronectin, and the transcription factors snail, slug, twist, and SIP1 using real time PCR.