Claudin 1 in Breast Cancer: New Insights.

Abstract

Claudin 1 is a small transmembrane protein responsible for maintaining the barrier function that exists between epithelial cells. A tight junction protein that regulates the paracellular transport of small ions across adjacent cells, claudin 1 maintains cellular polarity and plays a major role in cell-cell communication and epithelial cell homeostasis. Long considered to be a putative tumor suppressor in human breast cancer, new studies suggest a role much more complex. While most invasive breast cancers exhibit a down regulation or absence of claudin 1, some aggressive subtypes that exhibit high claudin 1 levels have now been described. Furthermore, a causal role for claudin 1 in breast cancer progression has recently been demonstrated in some breast cancer cell lines. In this review we highlight new insights into the role of claudin 1 in breast cancer, including its involvement in collective migration and epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT).

• Authors: Bowen Zhou, Amanda Moodie, Anne A A Blanchard, Etienne Leygue, Yvonne Myal
• Journal: Journal of clinical medicine (J Clin Med) Vol. 4 Issue 12 Pg. 1960-76 (Nov 27 2015) ISSN: 2077-0383 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 26633531 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)