Bonitsis N, Batistatou A, Karantima S, Charalabopoulos K
Department of Physiology, Clinical Unit, Ioannina University Medical School, Ioannina, Greece.
Exp Oncol. 2006 Sep;28(3):187-93.
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.
在本综述文章中，将较为详细地讨论钙黏蛋白/连环蛋白复合物在恶性黑色素瘤病例中的作用。钙黏蛋白是最重要的黏附分子超家族，其中上皮E-钙黏蛋白是研究最多的。它在正常状态以及癌症侵袭、转移和其他一些病理过程中的作用至关重要。E-钙黏蛋白的表达在恶性黑色素瘤中会发生改变，其下调或缺失与黑色素瘤的侵袭和转移潜能相关。在恶性黑色素瘤形成过程中还检测到黑色素细胞中从E-钙黏蛋白表达向神经N-钙黏蛋白表达的转变。此外，还简要尝试讨论了胎盘P-钙黏蛋白和血管内皮VE-钙黏蛋白的作用以及最近发现的不黏附素分子的作用。
