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Cancer Cell International
Published in: Cancer Cell International 1/2003

Open Access 01-12-2003 | Review

Tumor suppressor gene E-cadherin and its role in normal and malignant cells

Author: Nives Pećina-Šlaus

Published in: Cancer Cell International | Issue 1/2003

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Abstract

E-cadherin tumor suppressor genes are particularly active area of research in development and tumorigenesis. The calcium-dependent interactions among E-cadherin molecules are critical for the formation and maintenance of adherent junctions in areas of epithelial cell-cell contact. Loss of E-cadherin-mediated-adhesion characterises the transition from benign lesions to invasive, metastatic cancer. Nevertheless, there is evidence that E-cadherins may also play a role in the wnt signal transduction pathway, together with other key molecules involved in it, such as beta-catenins and adenomatous poliposis coli gene products.
The structure and function of E-cadherin, gene and protein, in normal as well as in tumor cells are reviewed in this paper.
Appendix
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Metadata
Title
Tumor suppressor gene E-cadherin and its role in normal and malignant cells
Author
Nives Pećina-Šlaus
Publication date
01-12-2003
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Cancer Cell International / Issue 1/2003
Electronic ISSN: 1475-2867
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2867-3-17

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