E-cadherin and its associated protein catenins, cancer invasion and metastasis

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Abstract
E‐cadherin is a cell‐cell adhesion molecule which is anchored to the cytoskeleton via catenins. There is increasing evidence which suggests that E‐cadherin also acts as a suppressor of tumour invasion and metastasis. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have revealed that expression of E‐cadherin correlates inversely with the motile and invasive behaviour of a tumour cell; it also correlates inversely with metastasis in patients with cancer. The function of E‐cadherin is highly dependent on the functional activity of catenins. This review summarizes progress, from both basic and clinical research, in our understanding of the roles of E‐cadherin and catenins, and discusses the clinical relevance of the discoveries.

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