Altered localization of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin in rat esophageal tumors. Int J Oncol 1999 Jan;14(1):33-40
Date
12/24/1998Pubmed ID
9863006Scopus ID
2-s2.0-0032608560 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 4 CitationsAbstract
An alteration in the localization of E-cadherin and its associated proteins has been observed in many epithelial neoplasms. No data exist, however, for the expression of these proteins in an animal model system for esophageal cancer or in cultured rat esophageal epithelial cell lines. The present study investigated the localization of E-cadherin and its associated protein, alpha-catenin, in rat esophageal epithelial cell lines of differing tumorigenic potential; in tumors induced after transplantation of these cell lines into syngeneic hosts; and, in esophageal tumors induced in rats by the carcinogen, N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBA). Immunofluorescent staining of the cultured cell lines revealed staining for both E-cadherin and alpha-catenin at cell-cell boundaries. Western blot analysis confirmed the membrane-bound localization of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin in the cells. However, tumors induced by these cell lines in syngeneic rats showed reduction in the expression of both E-cadherin and รก-catenin in the plasma membrane of invasive epithelial cells. Immunohistochemical analysis of NMBA-induced esophageal neoplasms in rats revealed E-cadherin and alpha-catenin to be abnormally expressed in poorly differentiated tumors when compared to well differentiated tumors. These results suggest that the microenvironment may have an important role in regulating the expression of these adhesion molecules in rat esophageal epithelial cells, and that alteration in the cellular localization of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin may be indicative of tumor progression in NMBA-induced rat esophageal cancer.
Author List
Khare L, Sabourin CL, De Young BR, Jamasbi RJ, Stoner GDMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
AnimalsBlotting, Western
Cadherins
Cytoskeletal Proteins
Dimethylnitrosamine
Esophageal Neoplasms
Immunohistochemistry
Male
Rats
Rats, Inbred F344
Tumor Cells, Cultured
alpha Catenin