Abstract
The cadherin-catenin system of cell-cell adhesion molecules plays a key role in determining cellular and tissue morphogenesis. The normal function of this molecular complex is indispensable during various stages throughout development, not only for determining the proper adhesive interactions between neighboring cells, but also for transducing the signals elicited by the Wnt pathway, mostly by β-catenin. The dual role of β-catenin in the assembly of cell-cell adherens junctions and its role as a cotranscriptional activator of target genes in the Wnt pathway is often disrupted in cancer cells. In this perspective, we discuss the interplay between the adhesive and signaling roles of the cadherin-catenin system, its regulation by various mechanisms, with special emphasis on its role in the development of cancer.
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Conacci-Sorrell, M., Ben-Ze’ev, A. (2005). The Regulation of Catenins in Cancer. In: Rise and Fall of Epithelial Phenotype. Molecular Biology Intelligence Unit. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-28671-3_12
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/0-387-28671-3_12
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