Glycoprotein contributions to mammary gland and mammary tumor structure and function: roles of adherens junctions, ErbBs and membrane MUCs.
Mammary function is dependent on its three-dimensional organization, which is established and maintained by cell adhesive junctions linked through the membrane to the cell cytoskeleton. These junctions serve not only as structural elements, but also function as initiators and integrators of cell signals. In this review we discuss three types of glycoproteins whose interactions impinge on the function of mammary cell-cell junctions, cadherins, ErbB receptor tyrosine kinases and membrane mucins, as a microcosm of events regulating mammary cell behaviors. Actions of these components are integrated by the critical signaling element beta-catenin. When functioning properly, these glycoproteins, beta-catenin and associated signaling pathways mesh into a highly structured program for development and function of the gland. However, disruption or dysfunction of these glycoproteins or the signaling elements can lead to disorganization of the epithelia and ultimately to neoplasia.
Carraway
Kermit L
KL
Department of Cell Biology and Anatomy, University of Miami School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33101, USA. kcarrawa@med.miami.edu
Ramsauer
Victoria P
VP
Carraway
Coralie A Carothers
CA
D022005:Adherens Junctions / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism; D002448:Cell Adhesion; D002450:Cell Communication; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D004847:Epithelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D017629:Gap Junctions; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D006706:Homeostasis; D006801:Humans; D008024:Ligands; D042361:Mammary Glands, Human / Q000378:metabolism; D008954:Models, Biological; D018396:Mucin-1 / Q000378:metabolism; D055264:Mucin-4; D009077:Mucins / Q000378:metabolism; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
D006023:Glycoproteins; D008024:Ligands; D018396:Mucin-1; D055264:Mucin-4; D009077:Mucins; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D051176:beta Catenin; C524658:MUC4 protein, human