E-cadherin: Its dysregulation in carcinogenesis and clinical implications

E-cadherin is a transmembrane glycoprotein which connects epithelial cells together at adherens junctions. In normal cells, E-cadherin exerts its tumour suppressing role mainly by sequestering β-catenin from its binding to LEF (Lymphoid enhancer factor)/TCF (T cell factor) which serves the function of transcribing genes of the proliferative Wnt signalling pathway. Despite the ongoing debate on whether the loss of E-cadherin is the cause or effect of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT ), E-cadherin functional loss has frequently been associated with poor prognosis and survival in patients of various cancers.

Source: Critical Reviews in Oncology Hematology - November 20, 2017 Category: Cancer & Oncology Authors: Sonia How Ming Wong, Chee Mun Fang, Lay-Hong Chuah, Chee Onn Leong, Siew Ching Ngai Source Type: research