[Regulation of cadherin-based cell adhesion and metastasis]

Cadherins are a family of transmembrane glycoproteins which are responsible for calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion. At least two types of proteins called alpha- and beta-catenin are known to be closely associated with the cytoplasmic domain of cadherin molecules and to play a crucial role in the regulation of cadherin cell adhesion function. Sequence analyses of cDNAs encoding these catenins have revealed that alpha- and beta-catenins have a similarity to vinculin and Drosophila armadillo protein, respectively. The possible involvement of these catenin molecules in the molecular mechanism of human cancer invasion and metastasis is discussed.