title: The role of desmoglein 2 and E-cadherin in the invasion and motility of human breast cancer cells.
abstract: Loss of adhesion is a fundamental step in the metastatic cascade. Desmosomal cadherins, Desmoglein (Dsg) and Desmocollin (Dsc) are a novel group of adhesion molecules. Aims were to demonstrate expression of Dsg2 and E-cadherin in breast cancer cells and assess their role in invasion and motility. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were used to demonstrate expression of Dsg2 and E-cadherin in 3 breast cancer cell lines (MDA MB 231, MCF7 and BT474). Functional studies included cell-cell aggregation, in vitro invasion and colloidal gold phagokinetic tracking assays. All 3 cell lines expressed Dsg2. MCF7 and BT474 cells were E-cadherin positive, MDA 231 was negative. Cell aggregation was reduced, in vitro invasion and motility were increased in Dsg2 or E-cadherin Mab pre-treated cells. Dsg2 present in breast cancer cells may act as a tumour suppressor molecule.
authors.affiliation: UNIV WALES COLL MED,ADHES RES GRP,DEPT SURG,CARDIFF CF4 4XN,S GLAM,WALES.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Davies
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cochrane
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hiscox
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sweetland
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mansel