TGF-β-activated SMAD3/4 complex transcriptionally upregulates N-cadherin expression in non-small cell lung cancer

We found that TGF-β-activated SMAD3/4 complex may upregulate CDH2 expression by directly interacting with a specific SMAD-binding element in CDH2 promoter. Our findings provide insights into mechanisms underlying the transcriptional regulation of CDH2 expression in TGF-β-induced EMT and SMADs-based therapeutic strategies for NSCLCs.