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Cadherins in Tissue Organization

Cadherins in Tissue Organization

The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...

Structure of Cadherins

Structure of Cadherins

The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins” is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This diversity of cadherins...

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

Cancer Cell Migration through Invadopodia

Invadosome is a broad category of cell surface structures with proteolytic activity that degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM). Invadosomes are present in normal cell types, including macrophages, endothelial cells, and neurons, as well as tumor cells. Although the macrophage podosomes and tumor cell invadopodia are classified as invadosomes, they have different structures, molecular pathways, and functions. Podosomes are short structures that last for a few minutes. However, invadopodia can...

Adherens Junctions

Adherens Junctions

Strong contact points between adjacent cells anchor them to each other, forming tissues. Such anchoring junctions are of two types – adherens junctions and desmosomes. Adherens junctions are abundant in tissues such as epithelium and endothelium, forming a continuous zone of adhesion called the adhesion belt. In other tissues, such as heart muscle, they appear as clusters, linking the cells to produce coordinated heart muscle contraction.
Adherens Junctions are Dynamic
The endothelial cells...

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Role of Ephrin-Eph Signalling in Intestinal Stem Cell Renewal

Erythropoietin-producing hepatocellular carcinoma receptor (Eph) and its ligand, Eph receptor-interacting protein (Ephrin) were first discovered in the human carcinoma cell line, hence the name. Ephrin-Eph interaction guides cells to reach their appropriate location in adult tissues. They also play an essential role in the immune system by helping in immune cell migration, adhesion, and activation. Based on their structure and function, Eph is divided into two classes — EphA and EphB.

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell Adhesion Molecules - Types and Functions

Cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) are pivotal to multicellularity and the coordinated functioning of tissues and organ systems. They enable physical interactions between cells and provide mechanical strength to tissues. They also function as receptors for signal transmission across the plasma membrane. The CAMs are broadly classified into four families - integrins, cadherins, selectins, and immunoglobulin-like CAMs (IgCAMs).
CAM Families
The Integrin family of proteins is primarily involved in a...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 13, 2026

Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics

Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics

Published on: March 26, 2018

Cadherins in cancer.

K Strumane¹, G Berx, F Van Roy

¹Department for Molecular Biomedical Research, Ghent University and Flanders Interuniversity Institute for Biotechnology (V.I.B), Technologiepark 927, 9052, Zwijnaarde, Belgium.

Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology

|May 11, 2010

Summary

E-cadherin, crucial for epithelial tissues, is often downregulated in carcinomas, promoting tumor progression and metastasis. Transcriptional repression, via promoter methylation or repressors like Snail, is a key mechanism, offering therapeutic targets.

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Characterization of Cell Membrane Extensions and Studying Their Roles in Cancer Cell Adhesion Dynamics

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Area of Science:

Cell Biology
Molecular Oncology
Cancer Research

Background:

The E-cadherin/catenin complex is vital for epithelial structure and normal development.
Its disruption is linked to the development and progression of most carcinomas.
E-cadherin downregulation correlates with malignancy, invasion, metastasis, and poor prognosis.

Purpose of the Study:

To investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying E-cadherin downregulation in carcinomas.
To identify E-cadherin's role as a tumor suppressor and invasion suppressor.
To explore therapeutic opportunities targeting E-cadherin expression.

Main Methods:

Analysis of E-cadherin/catenin complex expression in human tumor types.
Investigation of gene deletion, somatic mutations, and transcriptional repression (promoter methylation, transrepressor expression) of the CDH1 gene.
Examination of differential expression of other cadherins.

Main Results:

E-cadherin downregulation is prevalent in carcinomas, associated with malignancy.
Mechanisms include CDH1 gene deletion (LOH) and somatic mutations, though transcriptional repression is more common.
Transcriptional repression involves E-cadherin promoter hypermethylation and binding of repressors like SIP1, Snail, and Slug.
Altered expression of other cadherins may exacerbate E-cadherin loss effects.
E-cadherin acts as a tumor and invasion suppressor.

Conclusions:

Transcriptional repression is a major mechanism for E-cadherin silencing in carcinomas.
Therapeutic agents targeting E-cadherin expression offer potential for treating carcinomas with reversible downregulation.
Restoring E-cadherin function presents a promising strategy for cancer therapy.