The ins and outs of E-cadherin trafficking.
One way of controlling the activity of E-cadherin--a protein that is, simultaneously, a major cell-adhesion molecule, a powerful tumour suppressor, a determinant of cell polarity and a partner to the potent catenin signalling molecules--is to keep it on the move. During the past two decades, many insights into the fundamental role of E-cadherin in these processes have been garnered. Studies during the past five years have begun to reveal the importance of intracellular trafficking as a means of regulating the functions of E-cadherin. E-cadherin is trafficked to and from the cell surface by exocytic and multiple endocytic pathways. In this article, we survey the vesicle-trafficking machinery that is responsible for the sorting, transport, actin association and vesicle targeting of E-cadherin to regulate its movement and function during growth and development and, possibly, in cancer.
Bryant
David M
DM
Institute for Molecular Bioscience and School of Molecular and Microbial Sciences, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
Stow
Jennifer L
JL
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology; D004705:Endocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D005089:Exocytosis / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D009928:Organ Specificity / Q000502:physiology; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology
D015820:Cadherins