Epithelial differentiation of normal and tumor cells is orchestrated by lineage-determining transcriptional regulatory networks that enforce cell identity. Recent research by Kalisz et al (2020) in the EMBO Journal elucidates the molecular mechanisms by which a transcriptional differentiation program governed by HNF1A and KDM6A maintains acinar differentiation and the epithelial identity of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Loss of function of either transcriptional regulator induces tumor progression to a poorly differentiated and highly aggressive PDAC subtype with a squamous transcriptome and poor prognosis.

中文翻译：

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阻断去分化之路：HNF1A/KDM6A 复合物可保护胰腺癌的上皮完整性。


正常细胞和肿瘤细胞的上皮分化是由谱系决定的转录调控网络精心策划的，这些转录调控网络强制执行细胞身份。 Kalisz 等人 (2020) 在 EMBO 杂志上的最新研究阐明了由 HNF1A 和 KDM6A 控制的转录分化程序维持腺泡分化和胰腺导管腺癌 (PDAC) 上皮身份的分子机制。任一转录调节因子的功能丧失都会导致肿瘤进展为低分化且高度侵袭性的 PDAC 亚型，具有鳞状转录组和不良预后。