SNAIL is a zinc-finger transcription factor that can repress E-cadherin transcription. Downregulation of E-cadherin is associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transition during embryonic development, a process also exploited by invasive cancer cells. Indeed, loss of E-cadherin expression is correlated with the invasive properties of some tumors and there is a considerable inverse correlation between SNAIL and E-cadherin mRNA levels in epithelial tumor cell lines. In addition, SNAIL blocks the cell cycle and confers resistance to cell death.
