Breast carcinomas that co-express E- and P-cadherin are associated with p120-catenin cytoplasmic localisation and poor patient survival.
BACKGROUND
Changes in junctional catenin expression may compromise cadherin-mediated adhesion, increasing cell malignant properties such as invasive and metastatic abilities. Altered expression of alpha-, beta-, gamma- and p120-catenin has been reported to be associated with E-cadherin loss or decreased expression, in both breast carcinomas and breast cancer cell lines.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression and subcellular localisation of p120- and beta-catenin in a series of human invasive breast carcinomas, and correlate it with biological markers and clinicopathological parameters.


RESULTS
Both catenins frequently exhibited a reduced membranous or cytoplasmic staining pattern. These alterations were significantly correlated with lack of both E-cadherin and oestrogen receptor-alpha expression. It was possible to associate the expression of beta-catenin with histological grade, tumour size and nodal status, suggesting a relevant role for this catenin as a prognostic factor. The majority of E- and P-cadherin co-expressing tumours were related to cytoplasmic expression of p120-catenin; in this group of breast carcinomas, patient survival was poor.


CONCLUSIONS
Results indicate that p120-catenin cytoplasmic accumulation may play an important role in mediating the oncogenic effects derived from P-cadherin aberrant expression, including enhanced motility and invasion, particularly in tumours which maintain E-cadherin expression.
Paredes
J
J
Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), School of Health Sciences, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal. jparedes@ipatimup.pt
Correia
A L
AL
Ribeiro
A S
AS
Milanezi
F
F
Cameselle-Teijeiro
J
J
Schmitt
F C
FC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051177:Catenins / Q000378:metabolism*; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D008875:Middle Aged; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D016019:Survival Analysis; D000095002:Delta Catenin
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D051177:Catenins; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D000095002:Delta Catenin; C000722347:CTNND1 protein, human