Beta Catenin-Regulated Genes in Breast Cancer
Abstract
This study investigates the role of cadherin-11 in the progression of breast cancer from a less invasive, more differentiated phenotype to a more invasive, less differentiated phenotype. The cadherins are transmembrane proteins that have been shown in many previous studies to be involved in cancer progression. Cadherin-11, in particular, is expressed preferentially in breast cancers exhibiting a more invasive, less differentiated phenotype. Results of this study indicate that cadherin-11 expression in MDA-MB 231 breast cancer cells is significantly regulated by Beta-catenin signaling at both the protein and RNA levels. Beta-catenin, a signaling molecule in the wnt-1 pathway, affects transcriptional regulation of gene expression in both colon and breast cancer, including the expression of c-inyc and cyclin D. In addition, the function of cadherin-11 has been examined by stable transfection of cadherin 11 intact and/or variant into two well-differentiated breast cancer cell lines. We have found that cadherin 11 confers a specific phenotype to normally well-differentiated epithelial cells, including increased invasion. In conclusion, examination of both the regulation and function of cadherin-11 expression may offer clues about the nature of breast cancer progression, especially the processes of invasion and metastasis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA394917
Entities
People
- Carolyn Feltes
Organizations
- Georgetown University