E-cadherin is a calcium-regulated adhesion molecule expressed in most normal epithelial tissues. E-cadherin is also associated with gland formation, stratification, and epithelial polarization, while loss of E-cadherin can cause dedifferentiation and invasiveness in several human carcinomas (1). In a recent study, human breast cancer tissues were stained immunohistochemistry (IHC) by anti- E-Cadherin antibodies. Loss of E-Cadherin expression correlated with the invasiveness of carcinoma (2).
-Immunohistochemistry-NB110-56937-img0002.jpg "Immunohistochemistry: E-Cadherin Antibody")
Similar observations were made in invasive non-lobular breast cancerous tissues by IHC using anti E-Cadherin antibodies suggesting that E-Cadherin loss may also play a role in progression and development of distant metastasis (3). In various cell lines, a reciprocal relationship has been shown between levels of E-Cadherin expression and their invasiveness as detected by E-Cadherin antibodies (4). Reduced expression of E-cadherin by IHC has been observed in several aggressive tumors supporting the notion that E-cadherin is a classic tumor suppressor gene (5). The collective effect of E-Cadherin along with the tumor microenvironment in cancer cells may be one determinant of metastatic potential in cancer studies.
Novus Biologicals offers E-Cadherin reagents for your research needs including:
