Molecular alterations of E-cadherin and beta-catenin in brain metastases.
Journal: 2011/June - Frontiers in Bioscience - Elite
ISSN: 1945-0508
PUBMED: 21196339
Abstract:
The molecular mechanisms and candidate genes involved in metastasis to the brain need elucidation. In the present study brain metastases were analyzed regarding changes of E-cadherin (CDH1) and beta-catenin (CTNNB1). Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) of the CDH1 gene was detected in 42.2% of samples. The highest frequency of LOHs was observed in metastases from primary sites of lung adenocarcinoma and small cell lung cancer. Metastases from breast and colon demonstrated changes in 55.6% and 50% of cases. Downregulation of E-cadherin protein was observed in 83% of samples. Only 21.1% of samples with E-cadherin LOH had beta-catenin located in the nucleus. Image analysis showed that the quantities of E-cadherin and beta-catenin were significantly positively correlated (P = 0.008). Changes of E-cadherin were frequent in brain metastases that we investigated. Lack of mutations of beta-catenin, the fact that it was not frequently found in the nucleus and the positive correlation between the two proteins may suggest that the break-up of adherens junctions, and not the activation of wnt signaling, is responsible for metastasis formation.
Relations:
Citations
(10)
Diseases
(1)
Conditions
(1)
Chemicals
(2)
Genes
(2)
Organisms
(1)
Processes
(2)
Anatomy
(1)
Affiliates
(1)
Similar articles
Articles by the same authors
Discussion board
Collaboration tool especially designed for Life Science professionals.Drag-and-drop any entity to your messages.