Presentation: 2025 ND EPSCoR Annual conference
October 21, 2025, NDSU Memorial Union, Fargo, North Dakota
Investigating the Role of Talin in EMT
Mark
McDowell
Undergraduate Student
University of North Dakota
Co-authors: Hannah Huthmaker, Graduate Student, University of North Dakota School, Wyatt Mutzenberger, Undergraduate, University of North Dakota, Anjali Nayar, Undergraduate, University of North Dakota School , Amanda Haage, Professor, University of North Dakota
Session
Poster number: 34
Ballroom
Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is an embryonic gene program reactivated during cancer progression that enables tumor cells to detach from epithelial tissue and invade distant sites. Transforming Growth Factor β (TGF-β), typically a tumor suppressor through growth inhibition and apoptosis, can paradoxically promote EMT and metastasis in cancer. This study investigates the induction of EMT by TGF-β in NMuMG and MCF-10A epithelial cell lines. We examine subcellular localization of Talin, which is a focal adhesion (FAs) adaptor protein acting as a master regulator to link cell-ECM receptors to the cell cytoskeleton. Emerging evidence has shown Talin might translocate to the nucleus, where it is tightly associated with the chromatin. These findings contribute to our understanding of how EMT alters not only cell morphology but also the specific behaviors of intracellular proteins like Talin. This potentially links EMT to broader changes in nuclear signaling and gene regulation.