Transcriptional up-regulation of RhoE by hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 promotes epithelial to mesenchymal transition of gastric cancer cells during hypoxia

► RhoE is transcriptionally up-regulated during hypoxia in gastric cancer cells. ► RhoE up-regulation is associated with HIF-1α induction. ► HIF-1 binds to the RhoE promoter. ► Hypoxia promotes EMT and invasion in gastric cancer cells. ► The hypoxia-induced EMT phenotype is mediated by HIF-1α and RhoE.