title: E-cadherin and its associated protein catenins, cancer invasion and metastasis.
abstract: E-cadherin is a cell-cell adhesion molecule which is anchored to the cytoskeleton via catenins. There is increasing evidence which suggests that E-cadherin also acts as a suppressor of tumour invasion and metastasis. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed that expression of E-cadherin correlates inversely with the motile and invasive behaviour of a tumour cell; it also correlates inversely with metastasis in patients with cancer. The function of E-cadherin is highly dependent on the functional activity of catenins. This review summarizes progress, from both basic and clinical research, in our understanding of the roles of E-cadherin and catenins, and discusses the clinical relevance of the discoveries.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Surgery, University of Wales College of Medicine, Heath Park, Cardiff, UK.
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D015820:Cadherins / Q000502:physiology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins