[Leukemia cell surface expression of E-cadherin and its correlation with membrane localization of beta-catenin].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the expression of cell surface E-cadherin in leukemia cell and the correlation of cell membrane localization of beta-catenin with E-cadherin expression.


METHODS
Bone marrow samples from 46 patients with acute leukemia and 17 normal donors were analyzed. Cell surface expression of E-cadherin and membrane localization of beta-catenin were labeled by immunofluorescence and analyzed with a laser scanning confocal fluorescence microscope in 14 specimens.


RESULTS
Cell surface E-cadherin expression level was significantly lower in leukemia cells (with the median fluorescent intensity of 16.78) than in normal hematopoietic progenitors (26.03). Correlation analysis showed that cell membrane localization of beta-catenin was correlated with E-cadherin expression (r = 0.74, P = 0.002). After E-cadherin was induced to express in leukemic cell by 5-Aza-CdR, membranous expression of beta-catenin was elevated while the nuclear expression reduced, indicating that E-cadherin-mediated adhesions could recruit beta-catenin to cell membrane.


CONCLUSIONS
The loss of E-cadherin in leukemia cells may result in beta-catenin translocating to the nuclear and transcriptional activation of its target genes.
Rao
Qing
Q
State Key Laboratory of Experimental Hematology, Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital, CAMS & PUMC, Tianjin 300020, China.
Xu
Zhi-Fang
ZF
Wang
Ji-Ying
JY
Meng
Ji-Hong
JH
Tang
Ke-Jing
KJ
Tian
Zheng
Z
Xing
Hai-Yan
HY
Wang
Min
M
Wang
Jian-Xiang
JX
D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007938:Leukemia / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000378:metabolism*
D015820:Cadherins; D051176:beta Catenin