title: Immunohistological analysis of E-cadherin, alpha-, beta- and gamma-catenin expression in colorectal cancer: implications for cell adhesion and signaling.
abstract: Intercellular adhesion mediated by the E-cadherin/catenin complex is a prerequisite for epithelial integrity and differentiation. In carcinomas, E-cadherin function is frequently disturbed, and has been suggested to increase invasion and metastasis of tumour cells. beta-catenin has also been implicated in signaling pathways essential for tumour formation. We analysed the E-cadherin/catenin adhesion system of colorectal tumours at different clinical stages. In primary carcinomas (n = 91), there was a frequent reduction in E-cadherin (44%) and alpha-catenin expression (36%). In contrast, beta-catenin and gamma-catenin expression were seldom reduced (4% and 15%, respectively). Similar expression patterns were observed in liver metastases from unrelated colorectal tumours (n = 27). There was a significant relationship between loss of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin expression and poorly differentiated (G3-4) tumours. Our results suggest that reduction of E-cadherin/alpha-catenin expression is a frequent event in primary and metastatic colorectal carcinomas. Furthermore, beta-catenin expression remains normal in colorectal cancer, suggesting the essential role of beta-catenin in signaling pathways.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery and Surgical Oncology, Charité, Robert Rössle Hospital, Berlin, Humboldt University, Germany.
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Ghadimi
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Behrens
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Hoffmann
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Haensch
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Birchmeier
authors.forename: P M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Schlag
mesh_terms: D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000502:physiology; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051180:Desmoplakins; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; 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; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051178:alpha Catenin; D051176:beta Catenin; D051185:gamma Catenin