DOI: 10.1002/1873-3468.14724 ISSN:

A logical model of Ewing sarcoma cell epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition supports the existence of hybrid cellular phenotypes

Daner A. Silveira, Shantanu Gupta, Mariane da Cunha Jaeger, Caroline Brunetto de Farias, José Carlos Merino Mombach, Marialva Sinigaglia
  • Cell Biology
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry
  • Structural Biology
  • Biophysics

Ewing sarcoma (ES) is a highly aggressive pediatric tumor driven by the RNA‐binding protein EWS (EWS)/friend leukemia integration 1 transcription factor (FLI1) chimeric transcription factor, which is involved in epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT stabilizes a hybrid cell state, boosting metastatic potential and drug resistance. Nevertheless, the mechanisms underlying the maintenance of this hybrid phenotype in ES remain elusive. Our study proposes a logical EMT model for ES, highlighting zinc finger E‐box‐binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2), miR‐145, and miR‐200 circuits that maintain hybrid states. The model aligns with experimental findings and reveals a previously unknown circuit supporting the mesenchymal phenotype. These insights emphasize the role of ZEB2 in the maintenance of the hybrid state in ES.

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