Cadherin expression in carcinomas: role in the formation of cell junctions and the prevention of invasiveness

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Item Type:	Review
Title:	Cadherin expression in carcinomas: role in the formation of cell junctions and the prevention of invasiveness
Creators Name:	Birchmeier, W. and Behrens, J.
Abstract:	It has been realized that the loss of epithelial differentiation in carcinomas, which is accompanied by higher mobility and invasiveness of the tumor cells, is often a consequence of reduced intercellular adhesion. A variety of recent reports have indicated that the primary cause for the 'scattering' of the cells in invasive carcinomas is a disturbance of the integrity of intercellular junctions, often involving loss of a functional cell-cell adhesion molecule E-cadherin. It has also been suggested that during invasion, carcinoma cells convert to a sort of mesenchymal stage, as do normal epithelial cells during development. In the present review, permanent and transient molecular mechanisms are discussed which lead to the impairment of junction integrity of the epithelial cells and thus to the progression of carcinomas towards a more metastatic state. Furthermore, the now extensive literature on the down-regulation of E-cadherin expression in human and animal carcinomas is reviewed in detail.
Keywords:	Cadherins, Carcinoma, Cell Adhesion, Neoplasm Invasiveness, Animals
Source:	Biochimica et Biophysica Acta
ISSN:	0006-3002
Publisher:	Elsevier
Volume:	1198
Number:	1
Page Range:	11-26
Date:	27 May 1994
Official Publication:	https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-419X(94)90003-5
PubMed:	View item in PubMed

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