P120 and E-cadherin: Double-edged swords in tumor metastasis

Seminars in Cancer Biology
Jan-Hendrik VenhuizenMirjam M Zegers

Abstract

Cell-cell adhesion by adherens junctions controls proliferation and cell polarization and is crucial to maintain epithelial architecture and homeostasis. Downregulation of two of the main components of adherens junctions, E-cadherin and p120, is an often recurring hallmark of carcinomas, causing loss of polarity and increased proliferation, survival and invasion of epithelial cells. On the other hand, tumor-promoting effects of both E-cadherin and p120 have been reported, substantiated by sustained, or even elevated expression of these molecules in many cancers. In this review, we will discuss how expression regulation by EMT, E-cadherin cleavage or p120 isoform expression can contribute to either tumor-supressing or tumor-promoting processes. Furthermore, we will focus on the contradictory functions of E-cadherin and p120 in the different phases of tumor progression, from carcinoma in situ up to the formation of distant metastasis. Finally, we will discuss the possibilities and challenges when using either protein as a biomarker.

Citations

Mar 4, 2020·Cell Death Discovery·Chong ZengFeiyue Xing
Jan 23, 2021·Cell Death Discovery·Chong ZengFeiyue Xing
Jun 3, 2021·Monoclonal Antibodies in Immunodiagnosis and Immunotherapy·Kenta SoetaChikako Yokoyama
May 28, 2021·Veterinary Pathology·Sara Francesca SantagostinoEnrico Radaelli
Aug 11, 2021·Journal of Genetics and Genomics = Yi Chuan Xue Bao·Yujuan JinHongbin Ji

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An adherens junction is defined as a cell junction whose cytoplasmic face is linked to the actin cytoskeleton. They can appear as bands encircling the cell (zonula adherens) or as spots of attachment to the extracellular matrix (adhesion plaques). Adherens junctions uniquely disassemble in uterine epithelial cells to allow the blastocyst to penetrate between epithelial cells. Discover the latest research on adherens junctions here.

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Cadherins (named for "calcium-dependent adhesion") are a type of cell adhesion molecule (CAM) that is important in the formation of adherens junctions to bind cells with each other. Catenins are a family of proteins found in complexes with cadherin cell adhesion molecules of animal cells: alpha-catenin can bind to β-catenin and can also bind actin. β-catenin binds the cytoplasmic domain of some cadherins. Discover the latest research on cadherins and catenins here.

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