Tumor suppressor gene (E-cadherin)‎and its role in normal and malignant cells

Abstract EN

Tumor suppressor genes (E-cadherin) are particularly active area of research in development and tumorigenesis.

The calcium-dependent interactions among E-cadherin molecules are critical for the formation and maintenance of adherent junctions in areas of epithelial cell-cell contact.

Loss of E-cadherin-mediated-adhesion characterises the transition from benign lesions to invasive, metastatic cancer.

Nevertheless, there is evidence that E-cadherins may also play a role in the wnt signal transduction pathway, together with other key molecules involved in it, such as beta-catenins and adenomatous poliposis coli gene products.

The structure and function of E-cadherin, gene and protein, in normal as well as in tumor cells are reviewed in this paper.