Abstract
Cadherins are a family of transmembrane proteins that play a crucial role in cell differentiation, cell migration, and intercellular adhesion. Cadherins are associated with catenins through their highly conserved cytoplasmic domain. Down-regulation of E-cadherin protein has been shown in various human cancers. This study examined the expression of cadherins and associated catenins at the mRNA level. Paired tumor and non-neoplastic primary prostate cultures were obtained from surgical specimens. Quantitative multiplex fluorescence reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (QMF RT-PCR) and quantitative analysis were performed and correlated with immunostain results. Six of seven cases of neoplastic cultures showed moderately-to-markedly decreased levels of E-cadherin and P-cadherin mRNA. Similar losses of α-catenin and β-catenin mRNA were also observed. The results of QMF RT-PCR showed good correlation with the results of immunohistochemical studies based on corresponding formalin-fixed sections. In conclusion, this paper presents a coordinated down-regulation in the expression of E-cadherin and associated catenins at the mRNA and protein level in most of the cases studied. This down-regulation may play an important role in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 308-315 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Urological Research |
Volume | 28 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2000 |
Keywords
- Adhesion molecules
- Cadherin
- Catenin
- Prostate adenocarcinoma
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Urology