E-cadherin

Definition

e-cadherin is a type of cell adhesion molecule that plays a critical role in the formation and maintenance of adherens junctions, which are crucial for cell-cell adhesion in epithelial tissues. It is a transmembrane protein that helps cells stick together, contributing to the integrity and structure of tissues while regulating important cellular processes such as signaling, proliferation, and differentiation.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. e-cadherin is predominantly expressed in epithelial tissues, where it helps maintain the structural integrity of cell layers.
2. Mutations or reduced expression of e-cadherin are often associated with increased invasiveness and metastasis in cancers, particularly in breast cancer.
3. e-cadherin's interaction with catenins is essential for its function in maintaining adherens junctions and enabling effective cell communication.
4. The function of e-cadherin can be regulated by various signaling pathways, including those involving growth factors and oncogenes.
5. Restoration of e-cadherin expression in cancer cells has been shown to inhibit their migratory and invasive capabilities, highlighting its role as a tumor suppressor.

Review Questions

• How does e-cadherin contribute to the structural integrity of epithelial tissues?
  • e-cadherin contributes to the structural integrity of epithelial tissues by forming adherens junctions between adjacent cells. These junctions enable cells to adhere strongly to each other, creating a cohesive barrier that protects underlying tissues. By linking to the actin cytoskeleton through catenins, e-cadherin helps maintain tissue architecture and facilitates communication between cells, which is crucial for tissue homeostasis.
• Discuss the implications of e-cadherin loss in the context of cancer progression and metastasis.
  • The loss of e-cadherin function is closely associated with cancer progression and metastasis. When e-cadherin is downregulated or mutated, cell-cell adhesion is compromised, leading to increased cell motility and invasive behavior. This disruption allows cancer cells to detach from the primary tumor, invade surrounding tissues, and potentially metastasize to distant sites in the body. Thus, e-cadherin acts as a critical player in preventing tumor spread.
• Evaluate the potential therapeutic strategies targeting e-cadherin signaling in cancer treatment and their challenges.
  • Therapeutic strategies targeting e-cadherin signaling in cancer treatment aim to restore its expression or enhance its function to inhibit tumor invasion and metastasis. Approaches may include gene therapy to deliver functional e-cadherin or small molecules that stabilize its interactions with catenins. However, challenges include ensuring specificity to avoid disrupting normal cell function and addressing the complexity of signaling pathways involved in cancer biology. Further research is needed to optimize these strategies for effective clinical application.

Related terms

Adherens Junctions: Cell junctions that connect the actin cytoskeleton of one cell to that of another, providing mechanical stability and facilitating communication between adjacent cells.

Catenins: A family of proteins that bind to e-cadherin and link it to the actin cytoskeleton, playing an important role in maintaining cell adhesion and signaling.

Tumor Suppressor Genes: Genes that help control cell growth and division; when these genes are mutated or dysfunctional, it can lead to cancer development, with e-cadherin often being a key player.