title: Expression of E-cadherin, alpha, beta and gamma-catenin in human colorectal cancer.
abstract: E-cadherin is a calcium-dependant cell-cell adhesion molecule that plays a key role in the maintenance of tissue integrity. Its function is mediated by a group of cytoplasmic proteins termed catenins. Loss or dysfunction of E-cadherin has been implicated in the gain of tumour cell invasive potential, a crucial requirement of metastasising tumour cells. This study examined the expression of E-cadherin, alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenin in a series of colorectal cancer patients. Western blotting and immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the frequent loss of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin in 50% and 41% of these samples respectively. Increased levels of beta-catenin were seen in 41% of cases; no significant change in gamma-catenin was observed. We conclude that alterations in the levels of both catenins and E-cadherin within tumour tissue may lead to increased cancer cell invasive potential and thus could play a role in the initiation of the early stages of metastatic spread.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Surgery, University of Wales College of Medicine, Cardiff, U.K. Hiscox@Cardiff.ac.uk
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hiscox
authors.forename: W G
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Jiang
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis*; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D051180:Desmoplakins; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051178:alpha Catenin; D051176:beta Catenin; D051185:gamma Catenin
chemical_list: C495273:CTNNA1 protein, human; C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D051180:Desmoplakins; C495292:JUP protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051178:alpha Catenin; D051176:beta Catenin; D051185:gamma Catenin