Membrane Bound E-Cadherin Stimulates PI3K/Akt Signaling

Cell junction proteins play a pivotal role in regulating key physiological processes, including proliferation and apoptosis. E-cadherin, a crucial component of adherens junctions, is essential for maintaining intestinal epithelial homeostasis by modulating cell adhesion and proliferation. In this study, we explored the function of E-cadherin in the intestinal epithelial cells. Our findings indicate that during colitis, E-cadherin remains associated with the cell membrane in colonocytes. Furthermore, using an in vitro system, we demonstrated that in colonocytes, E-cadherin inhibits cell proliferation and β-catenin signaling while simultaneously activating the PI3K/Akt pathway. These results suggest that E-cadherin may suppress cell proliferation while promoting PI3K/Akt signaling in colonocytes of colitic mice.