Non-redundant functions of EMT transcription factors

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a crucial embryonic programme that is executed by various EMT transcription factors (EMT-TFs) and is aberrantly activated in cancer and other diseases. However, the causal role of EMT and EMT-TFs in different disease processes, especially cancer and metastasis, continues to be debated. In this Review, we identify and describe specific, non-redundant functions of the different EMT-TFs and discuss the reasons that may underlie disputes about EMT in cancer. This Review describes non-redundant functions of the core transcription factors that mediate the epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and discusses the conflicting results regarding their roles in this process.