fig2

Figure 2. Downstream functions of Snail in different types of carcinomas. Snail has been shown to function at multiple levels - transcriptional, post-transcriptional, and epigenetic (specific examples shown). In addition to its function as a transcriptional repressor of epithelial markers in EMT, Snail can activate the transcription of matrix metalloproteinases and mesenchymal factors. At the post-transcriptional level, Snail also affects the alternative splicing of CD44 by inhibiting ESRP1 and the expression of micro-RNAs and micro-RNA sponges. Lastly, in terms of epigenetic modifications, Snail alters histone modifications and DNA methylation by its interaction with histone deacetylases (HDACs) and DNA methyltransferases (DNMT).