title: From cell membrane to the nucleus: an emerging role of E-cadherin in gene transcriptional regulation.
abstract: E-cadherin is a well-known mediator of cell-cell adherens junctions. However, many other functions of E-cadherin have been reported. Collectively, the available data suggest that E-cadherin may also act as a gene transcriptional regulator. Here, evidence supporting this claim is reviewed, and possible mechanisms of action are discussed. E-cadherin has been shown to modulate the activity of several notable cell signalling pathways, and given that most of these pathways in turn regulate gene expression, we proposed that E-cadherin may regulate gene transcription by affecting these pathways. Additionally, E-cadherin has been shown to accumulate in the nucleus where documentation of an E-cadherin fragment bound to DNA suggests that E-cadherin may directly regulate gene transcription. In summary, from the cell membrane to the nucleus, a role for E-cadherin in gene transcription may be emerging. Studies specifically focused on this potential role would allow for a more thorough understanding of this transmembrane glycoprotein in mediating intra- and intercellular activities.
authors.affiliation: Department of Digestion, Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital, Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong Province, China.
authors.forename: Wenjun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Du
authors.forename: Xi
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Guiling
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Fan
authors.forename: Xingsheng
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yanying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Sun
authors.forename: Tianzhen
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Guangyu
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Ci
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yuanyuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Fei
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Xiaoming
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: Fengmin
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Zhaohua
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zhong
authors.forename: Xiaobo
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Li
mesh_terms: D015703:Antigens, CD; D015820:Cadherins / Q000502:physiology*; D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000378:metabolism*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000378:metabolism*; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases / Q000378:metabolism; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D006801:Humans; D016328:NF-kappa B / Q000378:metabolism; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D060449:Wnt Signaling Pathway; D020729:p120 GTPase Activating Protein / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D015703:Antigens, CD; C513384:CDH1 protein, human; D015820:Cadherins; D016328:NF-kappa B; D020729:p120 GTPase Activating Protein; D020794:Receptor Protein-Tyrosine Kinases; D020558:GTP Phosphohydrolases
keywords: E-cadherin; cell signalling; gene expression