title: Abnormal expression of the E-cadherin-catenin complex in dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus.
abstract: It is now accepted that altered E-cadherin-catenin complex expression in oesophageal cancer correlates with clinical and pathological parameters, while abnormal E-cadherin expression occurs early in Barrett's oesophagus. We evaluated immunohistochemically the expression and cellular localization of alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenin, and E-cadherin in 5 dysplastic and 26 non-dysplastic cases of Barrett's oesophagus. Usually all three catenins were localized at the cell membrane, as was E-cadherin. A similar staining pattern for E-cadherin and the catenins was observed in all cases of non-dysplastic Barrett's syndrome. However, 60% (3/5) of cases with dysplasia showed loss of membranous beta-catenin staining and diffuse cytoplasmic distribution, with predominantly nuclear localization in two cases. Membranous staining and concomitant cytoplasmic localization of E-cadherin, alpha-catenin and gamma-catenin were seen in one case with abnormal beta-catenin immunoreactivity. Our results indicate that altered subcellular distribution of beta-catenin occurs frequently in dysplastic Barrett's oesophagus and possibly reflects the signalling function of this molecule.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, Hammersmith Hospital Campus, London, UK.
authors.forename: J P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Seery
authors.forename: K N
authors.initials: KN
authors.lastname: Syrigos
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Karayiannakis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Valizadeh
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pignatelli
mesh_terms: D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000378:metabolism*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D004947:Esophagus / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin
chemical_list: C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051176:beta Catenin