The role of cadherin/catenin complex in malignant melanoma

• Datum: 2006
• Hauptverfasser: Bonitsis, N., Batistatou, A., Karantima, S., Charalabopoulos, K.
• Format: Artikel
• Sprache: English
• Veröffentlicht: Інститут експериментальної патології, онкології і радіобіології ім. Р.Є. Кавецького НАН України 2006
• Schriftenreihe: Experimental Oncology
• Online Zugang: https://nasplib.isofts.kiev.ua/handle/123456789/137921
• Назва журналу: Digital Library of Periodicals of National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine
• Zitieren: The role of cadherin/catenin complex in malignant melanoma / N. Bonitsis, A. Batistatou, S. Karantima, K. Charalabopoulos // Experimental Oncology. — 2006. — Т. 28, № 3. — С. 187-193. — Бібліогр.: 78 назв. — англ.

In the present review article the role of cadherin/catenin complex in cases of malignant melanoma is discussed in some detail. Cadherins represent the most important superfamily of adhesion molecules with epithelial E-cadherin being the most studied. Its role in normal state as well as in cancer invasion and metastasis and some other pathologies is crucial. E-cadherin expression is altered in malignant melanomas and its downregulation or absence is associated with melanoma invasion and metastasis potential. A shift from E-cadherin expression to neural N-cadherin expression in melanocytes is also detected in malignant melanomas formation. In addition, a discussion regarding the role of placental P-cadherin and vascular endothelial VE-cadherin as well as the recently identified molecule of dysadherin, is attempted in brief.