The expression of p120ctn protein in breast cancer is independent of alpha- and beta-catenin and E-cadherin.

Abstract

Several studies have reported loss or alteration of expression of E-cadherin in breast cancer and more recently changes in levels of expression of the catenins. We used immunofluorescence to examine E-cadherin, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, and p120ctn (formerly p120CAS) expression in 91 cases of invasive ductal carcinoma. As expected, all four proteins co-localize to the junctional regions of the cells. Although nuclear localization has been described for beta-catenin in colonic polyps, no examples were found in these breast cancer cases. We found that, although alteration is common in the catenins and E-cadherin, complete loss, as exemplified by E-cadherin in lobular carcinoma (where E-cadherin is frequently mutated), is rarely seen. In contrast, the catenin-related protein p120ctn shows an expression pattern that is significantly unrelated to the other catenins (or E-cadherin), including complete loss of expression in approximately 10% of the cases. No statistically significant correlations with traditional prognostic indicators were observed with any of these proteins. We conclude 1) that expression of E-cadherin and alpha- and beta-catenin are generally retained at the membrane although frequently reduced or altered, 2) that complete loss of p120ctn expression is seen in approximately 10% of the cases, and 3) that there is a significant correlation in the expression of E-cadherin and the catenins but no correlation between these molecules and p120ctn, suggesting an absence of coordinate regulation.

• Authors: D A Dillon, T D'Aquila, A B Reynolds, E R Fearon, D L Rimm
• Journal: The American journal of pathology (Am J Pathol) Vol. 152 Issue 1 Pg. 75-82 (Jan 1998) ISSN: 0002-9440 [Print] United States
• PMID: 9422525 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S., Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• CTNNA1 protein, human
• CTNNB1 protein, human
• Cadherins
• Catenins
• Cell Adhesion Molecules
• Cytoskeletal Proteins
• Phosphoproteins
• Trans-Activators
• alpha Catenin
• beta Catenin
• Delta Catenin
• CTNND1 protein, human

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Breast Neoplasms (metabolism, pathology)
• Cadherins (metabolism)
• Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast (metabolism, pathology)
• Catenins
• Cell Adhesion Molecules (metabolism)
• Cohort Studies
• Cytoskeletal Proteins (metabolism)
• Female
• Fluorescent Antibody Technique
• Humans
• Middle Aged
• Neoplasm Invasiveness (pathology)
• Phosphoproteins (metabolism)
• Trans-Activators
• alpha Catenin
• beta Catenin
• Delta Catenin