Publication

Role of the E-cadherin/alpha-catenin complex in modulating cell-cell and cell-matrix adhesive properties of invasive colon carcinoma cells

Breen, Ellen C.
Steele, Glenn D. Jr.
Mercurio, Arthur M.
Embargo Expiration Date
Abstract

BACKGROUND: The clinical behavior of colorectal cancer depends on its ability to invade and metastasize. Metastatic cells must dissociate from other cells and invade through basement membrane and stroma. Cell-cell adhesion in epithelial cells is mediated by the cell surface protein E-cadherin in association with alpha- and beta-catenin, which link E-cadherin to the cytoskeleton. Decreased cell-cell adhesion and increased motility on laminin have been correlated with more poorly differentiated and aggressive carcinomas.

METHODS: In this study, the RKO cell line, previously shown by us to lack E-cadherin expression, was transfected with the complementary DNA for E-cadherin. The transfectants were selected for high levels of surface expression by sequential FACS and examined in functional assays.

RESULTS: In comparison to control transfectants, the E-cadherin transfectants exhibited a more epithelial-like morphology, a 30% increase in Ca(2+)-dependent cell-cell aggregation, and a markedly reduced motility on the matrix proteins, collagen I and laminin.

CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that correction of a defect in the cadherin/catenin cell-cell adhesion complex, often found in poorly differentiated and highly invasive tumors, facilitates increased cell-cell adhesion and retards tumor cell migration on basement membrane and stromal proteins.

Source

Ann Surg Oncol. 1995 Sep;2(5):378-85.

Year of Medical School at Time of Visit
Sponsors
Dates of Travel
DOI
PubMed ID
7496831
Other Identifiers
Notes
Funding and Acknowledgements
Corresponding Author
Related Resources
Related Resources
Repository Citation
Rights
Distribution License