Background
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an early step in the invasion-metastasis cascade, involving progression through intermediate cell states. Due to challenges with isolating intermediate cell states, genome-wide cytosine modifications that define transition are not completely understood.
Conclusion
The results indicate the importance of both distinct and shared epigenetic profiles associated with EMT processes that may be targeted to prevent EMT progression.
Methods
The authors measured multiple DNA cytosine modification marks and chromatin accessibility across clonal populations residing in specific EMT states.
Results
Clones exhibiting more intermediate EMT phenotypes demonstrated increased 5-hydroxymethylcytosine and decreased 5-methylcytosine. Open chromatin regions containing increased 5-hydroxymethylcytosine CpG loci were enriched in EMT transcription factor motifs and were associated with Rho GTPases.