The forkhead box F2 (Foxf2) gene suppresses epithelial-mesenchymal transition via the modulation of transcription of zinc finger E-box-binding homeobox 1 (Zeb1) and epithelial (E)-cadherin, thereby inhibiting tumor metastasis.
FOXF2 and FOXQ1, forkhead box transcription factor superfamily members, are encoded by neighboring genes located on human chromosome 6p25.3 and play opposite roles in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in basal-like breast cancer (BLBC).
Our data identify the transcription factor Foxf2 as one of the important regulators of EMT, displaying a dual function in promoting tumor cell apoptosis as well as tumor cell migration.
Taken together, we conclude that decreased FOXF2 expression indicates the early-onset metastasis and poor prognosis for patients with histological grade II and triple-negative breast cancer.
FOXF2 deficiency induced mesenchymal-epithelial transition (MET) in Huh7 cell which might facilitate the colonization of circulating tumor cells and the formation of metastasis.
The epithelial-to-osteomimicry transition regulated by FOXF2 confers a tendency on cancer cells to metastasize to bone which leads to osteolytic bone lesions.