The expression of cell-cell adhesion molecule, E-cadherin and its associated proteins, alpha- and beta-catenins in human gastric carcinomas was examined by Western blotting. All the seven gastric carcinoma cell lines expressed E-cadherin except KATOIII, which was derived from pleural effusion of a scirrhous type stomach cancer or Borrmann's type-4 carcinoma. The expression of alpha-catenin was not detected in HSC43 derived from scirrhous carcinoma, while HSC39 expressed abnormal beta-catenin caused by genetic alteration. In gastric carcinoma cases, the levels of E-cadherin and alpha-catenin were significantly lower in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas and scirrhous carcinomas when compared to other types of gastric carcinomas. Deeply invasive carcinomas expressed E-cadherin and alpha-catenin at lower levels. However, the expression level of alpha-catenin was not necessarily consistent with that of E-cadherin. One of 10 gastric carcinomas examined showed complete deletion of alpha-catenin gene in Southern blotting. beta-catenin was expressed at lower level in poorly differentiated adenocarcinomas than in well-differentiated adenocarcinomas. These findings suggest that reduction in the expression of E-cadherin and its associated molecules, catenins, is involved in the development and infiltrative growth of scirrhous type gastric carcinomas.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Yasui et al. (1995) studied this question.