The adenomatous polyposis coli protein: the Achilles heel of the gut epithelium.
The Adenomatous Polyposis coli (APC) gene is mutated or lost in most colon cancers, and the APC protein has emerged as a multifunctional protein that is not only involved in the Wnt-regulated degradation of -catenin, but also regulates cytoskeletal proteins and thus plays a role in cell migration, cell adhesion, and mitosis. The gut epithelium is uniquely dependent on an intricate balance between a number of fundamental cellular processes including migration, differentiation, adhesion, apoptosis, and mitosis. In this review, I discuss the molecular mechanisms that govern the various functions of APC and their relationship to the role of APC in colon cancer.
Cell and Developmental Biology, University of Dundee Dundee DD1 5EH, Scotland, United Kingdom. i.s.nathke@dundee.ac.uk
Inke S
IS
Näthke
D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein / Q000032:analysis / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D003110:Colonic Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000378:metabolism; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000502:physiology; D007413:Intestinal Mucosa / Q000502:physiology*
D025601:Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein