Characterization of p120ctn, an Adherens Junction Protein with a Potential Role in Tumorigenesis and Cancer Metastasis
Abstract
One of the deadliest and least understood aspects of cancer is metastasis; Before a tumor can metastasize, individual cells must acquire mutations which down-regulate adhesion to neighboring cells. Down-regulating components of the adherens junctions causes increased invasiveness and metastatic potential of tumors. Adherens%junctions form around cadherins that interact homotypically to cadherins on neighboring cells. The cytoplasmic domain of cadherins interacts with a set of accessory proteins called catenins, which anchor cadherins to the actin cytoskeleton. p120, which was discovered in vertebrates, seems to be playing a regulatory rather than a structural role in adherens junctions. Before we can understand the role pl20ctn is playing in cancer, we must understand its normal cellular function. We are studying p120 in the fruitfly, Drosophila melanagaster. The objective of this research project is to characterize the role of p120 by generating flies mutant for the p120 gene and characterizing them phenotypically and biochemically. We mutations in pl20ctn. To our surprise thee are viable and fertile. We are testing them for genetic interactions with genes encoding other junctional proteins. We are using anti-pl20ctn antisera, and myc- and GFP-tagged pl20ctns to examine p120 localization.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2002
- Accession Number
- ADA407500
Entities
People
- Lisa Swanhard
- Mark Peifer
Organizations
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill