title: Rab11 regulates E-cadherin expression and induces cell transformation in colorectal carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In the process of epithelial mesenchymal transition EMT, the disassembly of junctional adhesion complexes such as E-cadherin is a remarkable sign during changes in cell morphology and polarity. However, E-cadherin expression is dynamic, and is regulated by the cellular endocytic system; it is also involved in cell signaling mechanisms. In this study, we investigated the role of E-cadherin in colorectal tumors and the relationship with recycling endosome protein Rab11 in colon cell transformation.
  
  
  METHODS
  For tissue screening, the expressions of E-cadherin and Rab11 in colorectal tumors were identified by immunohistochemistry in 113 patients with colorectal carcinoma. For the in vitro cell experiment, GFP-tagged Rab11 plasmid was transfected into HT29 colon cells, E-cadherin expression and cell transformation were monitored by Western blot and confocal microscopy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In immunohistochemistry, the mean score of E-cadherin in tumor and normal tissues was 1.41 ± 0.06 and 1.08 ± 0.06 (p < 0.05). The mean score of Rab11 in tumor and normal tissues was 0.51 ± 0.05 and 0.18 ± 0.02 (p < 0.05). Synchronous overexpression of E-cadherin and Rab11 was noted in 74 patients (66.5%) with colorectal carcinoma. When GFP-tagged Rab11 plasmid was overexpressed in cultured colon cell line HT-29, the E-cadherin expression was up-regulated, and cell membrane protrusion was induced, which resulted in cell transformation and cell migration.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrated the importance of the overexpression of Rab11 and E-cadherin in colorectal cancer. The results indicated that Rab11 together with E-cadherin might be potential markers for colorectal cancer progression and treatment.
authors.forename: Yuan-Chiang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chung
authors.forename: Wan-Chen
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Shin-Han
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Chi-Min
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Shih
authors.forename: Chih-Ping
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Hsu
authors.forename: King-Jen
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Life Science, Tunghai University, 1727, Sec,4, Taiwan Boulevard, Taichung, Taiwan. wtchao@thu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Wei-Ting
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Chao
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D058750:Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D019073:HT29 Cells; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D000099193:rab11 GTP-Binding Proteins
chemical_list: D015820:Cadherins; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins; D000099193:rab11 GTP-Binding Proteins