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PMID: 19029934 Published · ppublish English Journal Article Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't Review

Cadherins and cancer: how does cadherin dysfunction promote tumor progression?

Oncogene ·Vol. 27 ·No. 55 ·2008-11-24 ·Pages 6920-9

Jeanes A, Gottardi CJ, Yap AS

Abstract

It has long been recognized that the cell-cell adhesion receptor, E-cadherin, is an important determinant of tumor progression, serving as a suppressor of invasion and metastasis in many contexts. Yet how the loss of E-cadherin function promotes tumor progression is poorly understood. In this review, we focus on three potential underlying mechanisms: the capacity of E-cadherin to regulate beta-catenin signaling in the canonical Wnt pathway; its potential to inhibit mitogenic signaling through growth factor receptors and the possible links between cadherins and the molecular determinants of epithelial polarity. Each of these potential mechanisms provides insights into the complexity that is likely responsible for the tumor-suppressive action of E-cadherin.

MeSH Terms
Animals Cadherins/genetics,physiology Cell Polarity/genetics,physiology Disease Progression Humans Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/genetics,physiology Models, Biological Neoplasms/genetics,pathology Signal Transduction/genetics,physiology beta Catenin/genetics,physiology
Chemicals
Cadherins Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins beta Catenin
Authors & Affiliations
3 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID
Jeanes A
1Division of Molecular Cell Biology, Institute for Molecular Bioscience, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
Gottardi C J
Yap A S
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Article Info
Journal
Oncogene
Abbr.
Oncogene
ISSN
1476-5594
DOI
10.1038/onc.2008.343
Published
2008-11-24
Pages
6920-9
Language
English
Region
England
NLM ID
8711562
PMCID
PMC2745643
Subset
IM
Grants
NIGMS NIH HHS · R01 GM076561 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · R01 GM076561-04 · United States
NIGMS NIH HHS · GM076561 · United States
External Links
PubMed source DOI: 10.1038/onc.2008.343 PMC Full Text View journal details
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