TGFA and cancer: TGFα has been shown to induce epithelial-to-mesenchymaltransition(EMT) in DU145 cells, which normally show epithelial morphology.43 EMT is a major transition in cell behavior thatoccurs during embryonic development, wound healing, and cancer metastasis.44 Cells modify their adhesion molecules, migratorycapacity, and extracellular matrix secretion.44 DU145 cells were incubated with various TGFα constructs andthen stained with the actin-binding ligand phalloidin by fluorescencemicroscopy to allow determination of cell shape.