The role of E-cadherin-catenin complex: more than an intercellular glue?
It is now widely recognized that alterations in the adhesion properties of neoplastic cells may play a pivotal role in the development and progression of the malignant phenotype in a range of tumor types. The cadherins and catenins, being the prime mediators of cell-cell adhesion, are intimately involved in the control of morphological differentiation and cellular proliferation; loss of their intercellular function allows malignant cells to escape from their site of origin, degrade the extracellular matrix, acquire a more motile and invasive phenotype, and, finally, invade and metastasize. In addition to participating in tumor invasiveness and metastasis, the E-cadherin-catenin complex is fundamental for the establishment and maintenance of multicellular organisms and regulates or significantly contributes to a variety of functions, including signal transduction, cell growth, differentiation, site-specific gene expression, morphogenesis, immunologic function, cell motility, wound healing, and inflammation. We reviewed the role of the E-cadherin-catenin complex in tumor development and presented the potential clinical applications of these molecules.
Harrington
K J
KJ
Department of Clinical Oncology, Imperial College of Sciences, Technology and Medicine, London, United Kingdom.
Syrigos
K N
KN
Harington
K J
KJ
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000502:physiology*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology*; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness / Q000473:pathology*; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis / Q000473:pathology*; D010641:Phenotype; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051178:alpha Catenin; D051176:beta Catenin
C495273:CTNNA1 protein, human; C495270:CTNNB1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators; D051178:alpha Catenin; D051176:beta Catenin