Twist, the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, is involved in the process of epithelial to mesenchymal transitions (EMTs), which play an essential role in cancer metastasis. Overexpression of Twist or its promoter methylation is a common scenario in metastatic carcinomas.
Twist is a key transcription factor for Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).
Twist-1 overexpression was shown, recently, to be a factor of poor prognosis in melanomas
Many studies use “TWIST” and “TWIST1” interchangeably (with TWIST1 being the canonical factor in humans.
Twist plays key roles in embryonic development and has been implicated in cancer progression, particularly through promoting epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and metastasis.
TWIST1 directly represses epithelial markers (e.g., E-cadherin) while upregulating mesenchymal markers (e.g., N-cadherin, vimentin).
Twist is most often upregulated in cancer cells compared to normal cells across multiple tumor types.
– High Twist expression is consistently associated with aggressive clinical features, including increased invasiveness, metastasis, and reduced overall survival.
(Will delete Record if Target field = "Delete") Home