Elsevier

Differentiation

Volume 70, Issues 9–10, December 2002, Pages 583-589
Differentiation

REVIEW
Altered expression of the catenin p120 in human cancer: implications for tumor progression

https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1432-0436.2002.700911.xGet rights and content

Abstract

Tumor progression in epithelial tissues is characterized by a series of genetic and epigenetic changes that lead ultimately to metastasis. Alterations in E-cadherin and its cytoplasmic regulators, the catenins, have been implicated as central to this process. Here, we focus on p120-catenin and its rising incidence in the pathology literature as a molecule altered in human tumors. The data show that p120 is frequently altered and/or lost in tumors of the colon, bladder, stomach, breast, prostate, lung, and pancreas. Moreover, in some cases p120 loss appears to be an early event in tumor progression, possibly preceding loss of E-cadherin. Potential roles of p120 as a tumor suppressor or metastasis promoter are discussed.

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