[Regulation of cadherin-based cell adhesion and metastasis].
Cadherins are a family of transmembrane glycoproteins which are responsible for calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion. At least two types of proteins called alpha- and beta-catenin are known to be closely associated with the cytoplasmic domain of cadherin molecules and to play a crucial role in the regulation of cadherin cell adhesion function. Sequence analyses of cDNAs encoding these catenins have revealed that alpha- and beta-catenins have a similarity to vinculin and Drosophila armadillo protein, respectively. The possible involvement of these catenin molecules in the molecular mechanism of human cancer invasion and metastasis is discussed.
Tsukita
S
S
Dept. of Information Physiology, Okazaki National Research Institutes.
D015820:Cadherins / Q000502:physiology*; D002118:Calcium / Q000502:physiology; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D015820:Cadherins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D002118:Calcium