Journal of Carcinogenesis & Mutagenesis

Alfonso Colombatti

Publications

• Review Article
  A Rare Bird among Major Extracellular Matrix Proteins: EMILIN1 and the Tumor Suppressor Function
  Author(s): Eliana Pivetta, Alfonso Colombatti and Paola SpessottoEliana Pivetta, Alfonso Colombatti and Paola Spessotto
  
  Extracellular Matrix (ECM) proteins constitute a complex network of macromolecules with distinctive physical, biochemical, and biomechanical properties. They are expressed dynamically and their cellular functions are highly dependent upon cues from the local environment. ECM proteins primarily by interaction with integrins on the cell surface initiate downstream signaling events that involve diverse cellular functions. Although tightly controlled under normal development, the ECM is commonly deregulated and becomes disorganized in diseases such as cancer. Abnormal ECM affects cancer progression by directly promoting cellular transformation, metastasis and facilitates tumor-associated angiogenesis and inflammation, and thus leads to generation of a tumorigenic microenvironment. In this review, we summarize and discuss the current knowledge of the diverse promoting or inhibiting role pl.. View More»
  DOI: 10.4172/2157-2518.S13-009

  Abstract PDF