Abstract
It has been well-known that the cadherin-catenin complexes bind with intracellular skeleton actin, which result in stabilization of cellular structure and tissue organization. Therefore, the cadherin-catenin family has been considered prerequisite for normal cell function and the preservation of tissue integrity. In human malignancies especially colon cancers, dysfunction and/or decrease of expression of these proteins have been proposed to prevent differentiation of tumors and to increase invasiveness and poor prognosis. However, recent studies also revealed that a member of this superfamily, β-catenin, may play an important role in Wnt/wingless intracellular signaling pathway. Decreased expression of this protein or somatic mutation of the β-catenin gene has been also reported in human carcinomas including various endocrine tumors. Mutant β-catenin is associated with abnormal nuclear accumulation in tumor cells and subsequently to activate other transcription factors such as Tcf/Lef. This activation eventually results in which upregulation of mRNA and protein levels of various cell growth mediators in these endocrine tumors. Therefore, dysfunction of the cadherin-catenin system is considered to be closely correlated with tumorigenesis and development in human endocrine tumors.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1-13 |
Number of pages | 13 |
Journal | Endocrine Pathology |
Volume | 12 |
Issue number | 1 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2001 Jan 1 |
Keywords
- Cadheri-ctenin superfamily
- E-cadherin
- Endocrine tumors
- β-catenin
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Pathology and Forensic Medicine
- Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism
- Endocrinology