PMID: 8983062Jan 1, 1994Paper

Possible involvement of adherens junction plaque proteins in tumorigenesis and metastasis

Princess Takamatsu Symposia
S TsukitaShigenobu Yonemura

Abstract

The cell-to-cell adherens junction is a site for cadherin-mediated adhesion where actin filaments are densely associated with the plasma membrane through its well developed plasmalemmal undercoat, a "plaque" structure. Recently, we succeeded in isolating the cell-to-cell adherens junctions from rat liver, and in identifying some novel AJ plaque constituents, including src-like tyrosine kinases, radixin, alpha-catenin, and a 220kD protein. The application of genetic engineering techniques to AJ plaque proteins has recently generated a wealth of novel observations, leading to the speculation that these proteins are involved in tumorigenesis and metastasis. This paper reviews these findings and discusses some functions of the AJ plaque proteins in normal cells, as well as in tumorigenesis and metastasis.

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Adherens Junctions

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.

Cadherins and Catenins

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.

Adhesion Molecules in Health and Disease

Cell adhesion molecules are a subset of cell adhesion proteins located on the cell surface involved in binding with other cells or with the extracellular matrix in the process called cell adhesion. In essence, cell adhesion molecules help cells stick to each other and to their surroundings. Cell adhesion is a crucial component in maintaining tissue structure and function. Discover the latest research on adhesion molecule and their role in health and disease here.