E-cadherin in gastric cancer.
Cadherin is an adhesion molecule and a superfamily of calcium-mediated membrane glycoproteins. E-cadherin is the prototype of the class E-cadherin that links to catenins to form the cytoskeleton. Recent evidence has shown that E-cadherin not only acts as an adhesive, but also plays important roles in growth development and carcinogenesis. It has been recently viewed as an invasion as well as a growth suppressor gene. This review summarizes the recent discoveries on E-cadherin and its role in gastric cancer. In particular, our work on E-cadherin in gastric cancer, including its relation with Helicobacter pylori and clinical applications, are described in detail.
Chan
Annie On On
AO
Department of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong, Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong, China. aoochan@hku.hk
D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D016481:Helicobacter Infections / Q000150:complications; D016480:Helicobacter pylori; D006801:Humans; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics
D015820:Cadherins