title: The role of cadherin/catenin complex in malignant melanoma.
abstract: In the present review article the role of cadherin/catenin complex in cases of malignant melanoma is discussed in some detail. Cadherins represent the most important superfamily of adhesion molecules with epithelial E-cadherin being the most studied. Its role in normal state as well as in cancer invasion and metastasis and some other pathologies is crucial. E-cadherin expression is altered in malignant melanomas and its downregulation or absence is associated with melanoma invasion and metastasis potential. A shift from E-cadherin expression to neural N-cadherin expression in melanocytes is also detected in malignant melanomas formation. In addition, a discussion regarding the role of placental P-cadherin and vascular endothelial VE-cadherin as well as the recently identified molecule of dysadherin, is attempted in brief.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Clinical Unit, Ioannina University Medical School, Ioannina, Greece.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bonitsis
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Batistatou
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karantima
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Charalabopoulos
mesh_terms: D015820:Cadherins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D051177:Catenins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D051177:Catenins