Fabrizio Ferrarini
Italy
Research Article
Characterization of Clinical and Molecular Features Related to the Downregulated Expression of μ-Protocadherin in Colorectal Cancer
Author(s): Wybrich R Cnossen Lorena Losi, Jean Benhattar, Silvia Pizzini, Andrea Bisognin, Sandra Parenti, Lucia Montorsi, Claudia Gemelli, Tommaso Zanocco-Marani, Paola Zanovello, Fabrizio Ferrarini, Sergio Ferrari, Stefania Bortoluzzi and Alexis GrandeWybrich R Cnossen Lorena Losi, Jean Benhattar, Silvia Pizzini, Andrea Bisognin, Sandra Parenti, Lucia Montorsi, Claudia Gemelli, Tommaso Zanocco-Marani, Paola Zanovello, Fabrizio Ferrarini, Sergio Ferrari, Stefania Bortoluzzi and Alexis Grande
Mu-protocadherin is a membrane protein belonging to the cadherin superfamily that, as the other members, promotes inter-cellular adhesion and proliferation arrest. Notably, both these onco-suppressive activities are mediated by its capacity to inhibit the β-catenin signaling pathway, that is constitutively activated in colorectal cancer (CRC) and, not surprisingly, its expression undergoes a remarkable down-regulation in CRC, although this finding has been to date only achieved in a limited set of patients. Based on this premise, the aims of our study were: (1) to confirm the down-regulated expression of μ-protocadherin in a larger cohort of CRC patients; (2) to assess the possible relationship existing between the expression levels of this protein and the clinical-pathological parameters of the disease; (3) to identify the molecular mechanism underlying the decrease of its ex.. View More»
DOI:
10.4172/2157-2518.1000155