Wnt-5a-CKI{alpha} signaling promotes {beta}-catenin/E-cadherin complex formation and intercellular adhesion in human breast epithelial cells.

ABSTRACT: Wnt-5a is a non-transforming Wnt protein that is implicated in cell polarity, adhesion, and motility. We have previously shown that low expression of Wnt-5a is a predictor of shorter disease-free survival in human breast cancer. Here, we investigated whether beta-catenin/E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion was affected by loss of Wnt-5a in breast carcinomas, thereby promoting a metastatic behavior of the tumor. We show that Wnt-5a stimulation of human breast epithelial cells leads to an increased Ca(2+)-dependent cell-cell adhesion. Furthermore, Wnt-5a/casein kinase Ialpha (CKIalpha)-specific Ser-45 phosphorylation of beta-catenin is associated with an increased complex formation of beta-catenin/E-cadherin. Mutation of Ser-45 decreases the beta-catenin/E-cadherin association. Also, the

SUBMITTER: Medrek C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2667782 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature