Embryonic Development and Cancer Biology Quiz

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Questions and Answers

What is the primary outcome of gastrulation in the context of embryonic development?

  • Differentiation of cells into ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm. (correct)
  • Folding of the epithelium into a ball.
  • The initial shaping of the archenteron.
  • Formation of the blastocoel.

During gastrulation, what is the archenteron?

  • The outer layer of cells in the embryo during gastrulation
  • The group of cells that loosens from the vegetal plate to form the mesoderm
  • The cavity formed by the folding of the epithelial sheet (correct)
  • The signaling molecules that induce the formation of the gut

What is a key event during the process of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)?

  • Mesenchymal cells secrete inducers to transform other cells.
  • Epithelial cells begin to synthesize E-cadherin at a higher rate.
  • Epithelial cells lose contact with their neighbors before invading other tissue. (correct)
  • Epithelial cells maintain strong adhesion to neighboring cells.

Which of the following is NOT described as an extrinsic signal that induces EMT?

<p>PI3K-Ras-MAPK pathway activation (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which signaling pathway is involved in regulating EMT via Snail or Slug?

<p>TGF$\beta$ pathway (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of GSK3$\beta$ in the context of EMT, as described in the text?

<p>It is involved in the phosphorylation of molecules that cause EMT. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What molecular structures are conserved among the Snail family of transcriptional repressors?

<p>Both a SNAG domain and zinc fingers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the MTA3 transcription factor in the context of EMT?

<p>It is associated with the effects of estrogens on EMT. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What cellular process is critical for the transition of benign tumors into invasive and metastatic cancers?

<p>Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is a significant factor that increases the risk of developing aggressive cancers according to the information presented?

<p>Organ fibrosis (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of cancer-related deaths are generally attributed to primary tumors?

<p>Less than 10% (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of tumor development, which statement best describes the role of tumor size as it relates to metastasis?

<p>Primary tumor size can often predict the likelihood of metastasis. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of tumor metastasis?

<p>Metastasis is always predictable based on the primary tumor type. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The development of aggressive cancers is specifically linked to organ fibrosis. Which of the following examples does NOT describe a type of organ fibrosis mentioned in the text?

<p>Renal Fibrosis (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT), which of the following cellular changes occurs?

<p>Reorganization of the cytoskeleton to allow 3D movement in the ECM. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

According to the information presented, what is the primary challenge in extending patient survival with cancer?

<p>Understanding and preventing the metastatic process. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Within the context of the invasion-metastasis cascade, what is an important factor that is highlighted about cancer cell behavior?

<p>The probability of an individual cancer cell completing the invasion-metastasis cascade is minimal. (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

A key characteristic of epithelial cells is their:

<p>Tight adhesion to neighboring cells, forming a sheet. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following protein markers is typically decreased in abundance during Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)?

<p>E-cadherin (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

The apical surface of an epithelial cell is characterized by:

<p>Specific structures such as tight junctions and adherens junctions. (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the structure of mesenchymal cells?

<p>Cells with weak adhesions and an elongated shape. (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

During EMT, which transcription factor, when expressed in MDCK cells, leads to an increase in fibronectin and vimentin?

<p>Twist (D)</p> Signup and view all the answers

In the context of development, Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) is critical during:

<p>Both the initial segregation of germ layers and neural crest delamination. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a typical physiological process or disease associated with EMT in adults?

<p>Epithelial cell growth and division during cell replacement (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

An epithelial sheet is described as polarized because:

<p>Its apical and basal surfaces often have different characteristics and functions. (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following proteins is typically increased in abundance during EMT?

<p>Vimentin (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)

A process where epithelial cells lose their characteristics and transform into mesenchymal cells.

Epithelial Cells

Epithelial cells are tightly connected, form sheets, and have a defined apical and basal surface.

Mesenchymal Cells

Mesenchymal cells are less structured, more mobile, and have weak connections between them.

E-cadherin

A protein that helps maintain cell-cell connections in epithelial cells.

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N-cadherin

A protein important for cell-cell connections in mesenchymal cells.

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Cytokeratin

A protein that helps form the cytoskeleton of epithelial cells, giving it shape.

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Vimentin

A protein that helps form the cytoskeleton of mesenchymal cells, allowing for movement and flexibility.

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Gastrulation

A process during early development where an embryo forms three distinct layers of cells: ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm.

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Neural Crest Delamination

A process where neural crest cells detach from the neural tube and migrate to different parts of the body.

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EMT in Adult Organisms

EMT plays a crucial role in wound healing and tissue repair in adult organisms.

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Ectoderm

One of the three primary germ layers formed during gastrulation; it develops into the skin and nervous system.

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Mesoderm

One of the three primary germ layers formed during gastrulation; it develops into the muscles, bones, and circulatory system.

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Endoderm

One of the three primary germ layers formed during gastrulation; it develops into the lining of the digestive system and respiratory system.

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Extrinsic and Intracellular Signals in EMT

Factors that trigger EMT, including signaling molecules, cell-cell adhesion changes and intracellular pathway activation.

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Snail Family of Transcription Repressors

A family of transcription factors that play a key role in regulating EMT. Members of the family include Snail, Slug, Smuc, and Scratch.

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Stromal Cell Control of EMT

The process by which stromal cells, the supporting cells of tissues, influence the behavior of epithelial cells, including their ability to undergo EMT.

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What is metastasis?

The spread of cancer cells from the primary tumor to distant sites in the body.

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What is EMT (Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition)?

The process by which epithelial cells transform into mesenchymal cells, allowing them to move and invade surrounding tissue.

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What is the Invasion-Metastasis Cascade?

A series of steps that a cancer cell must go through to successfully metastasize, including invasion, intravasation, circulation, extravasation, and colonization.

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What is a metastatic cell?

A type of cancer cell that has the potential to spread to distant sites.

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What is a primary tumor?

A tumor that has not spread to other parts of the body.

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What is a metastatic tumor?

A tumor that has spread from the primary site to other parts of the body.

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Why are most tumors only detected after they have reached a large size?

Tumors can grow for years before being detected because they initially grow in extensible spaces and don't affect organ function.

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Why is understanding metastasis crucial for improving cancer treatment?

Metastasis is the most lethal aspect of cancer, and understanding it offers the best chance of improving patient survival.

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Study Notes

Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT)

  • EMT is a series of events where cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix (ECM) interactions change.
  • Epithelial cells are released from surrounding tissue.
  • Cytoskeleton reorganizes, allowing 3D movement within ECM.
  • A new transcriptional program maintains the mesenchymal phenotype.

Cell Types

  • Epithelial cells form a sheet, typically one cell thick.
  • Cells are joined/abutted, regularly spaced.
  • Cells are tightly attached, inhibiting movement.
  • Epithelial cells enclose a 3D space and have a polarized structure (resting state: inside of cell membrane is negatively charged).
  • Apical and basal surfaces have different characteristics and functions.
  • Adhere to various ECM substrates.
  • Mesenchymal cells lack a regimented structure and have few intracellular adhesions.
  • They have weak adhesions allowing for easy mobility, forming irregular structures.
  • Mesenchymal cells are generally elongated in form.
  • All animal development starts with epithelial cells; both cell types can form all three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, endoderm).

EMT Markers

  • Increase in abundance: N-cadherin, Vimentin, Fibronectin, Snail1(Snail), Snail2(Slug), Twist, FOXC2, Goosecoid, Sox10, MMP-2, MMP-3, MMP-9, Integrin vβ6
  • Decrease in abundance: E-cadherin, Desmoplakin, Cytokeratin, Occluding
  • Increased activity: ILK, GSK-3β, Rho
  • Accumulate in the nucleus: β-catenin, Smad-2/3, NF-κB, Snail1(Snail), Snail2(Slug), Twist

EMT in Development & Tissues

  • EMT is crucial for development (e.g., gastrulation, neural crest delamination).
  • EMT also plays a role in adult tissue processes (e.g., wound healing, fibrosis, cancer metastasis).
  • Epithelium I secretes inducers which induce EMT in Epithelium II.
  • Green arrows show recruitment of Epithelium II-derived mesenchymal to Epithelium I; blue cells differentiate
  • Red dots represent the inducing tissues which have molecular information in the cells.

EMT and Cancer

  • EMT during tumor progression allows benign tumors to infiltrate surrounding tissues and metastasize.
  • EMT stages are incorporated in pathological staging of tumors.

Metastasis

  • Tumors take a long time to detect, typically years.
  • Metastasis is the most lethal cancer process, responsible for 90% of cancer deaths.
  • Primary tumors account for less than 10% of cancer deaths.
  • Primary tumor size often predicts metastasis.
  • Some tumors do not metastasize, others do frequently.
  • Organ fibrosis is a factor in cancer development
  • The invasion-metastasis process has 6 distinct steps

Animal Development

  • Early cleavage results in a ball of cells (blastocoel).
  • The initial structure is an epithelium folded into a ball
  • Gastrulation is the formation of a triploblastic embryo with three germ layers (ectoderm, mesoderm, and endoderm).

Signaling in EMT

  • Extrinsic signals (e.g., TGF-β, FGF, Wnt) induce EMT.
  • Intracellular pathways (e.g., PI3K, Ras, GSK3B) regulate EMT.
  • Transcription factors (e.g., Snail, Slug and others) control EMT.

Biochemical Changes Accompanying EMT

  • Expression of Twist transcription factor, within MDCK cells, induces fibronectin and vimentin.

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Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition (EMT) - PDF

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