Functional characterization of E- and P-cadherin in invasive breast cancer cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Alterations in the cadherin-catenin adhesion complexes are involved in tumor initiation, progression and metastasis. However, the functional implication of distinct cadherin types in breast cancer biology is still poorly understood.

Methods

To compare the functional role of E-cadherin and P-cadherin in invasive breast cancer, we stably transfected these molecules into the MDA-MB-231 cell line, and investigated their effects on motility, invasion and gene expression regulation.

Results

Expression of either E- and P-cadherin significantly increased cell aggregation and induced a switch from fibroblastic to epithelial morphology. Although expression of these cadherins did not completely reverse the mesenchymal phenotype of MDA-MB-231 cells, both E- and P-cadhe

SUBMITTER: Sarrio D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2656544 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature