ZEB2, a master regulator of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, mediates trophoblast differentiation

ZEB2, a master regulator of the epithelial-mesenchymal transition, mediates trophoblast differentiation

MHR: Basic science of reproductive medicine 2018 Volume 25, Issue 2, Pages 61–75

STUDY QUESTION
Does the upregulation of the zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) transcription factor in human trophoblast cells lead to alterations in gene expression consistent with an epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and a consequent increase in invasiveness?

SUMMARY ANSWER
Overexpression of ZEB2 results in an epithelial-mesenchymal shift in gene expression accompanied by a substantial increase in invasive capacity of human trophoblast cells.