Analysis of E-, N-cadherin, α-, β-, and γ-catenin expression in human pancreatic carcinoma cell lines

Objectives: Cadherins are cell surface glycoproteins that mediate Ca2+-dependent, homophilic cell-cell adhesion. The classic cadherins interact with either beta-catenin or gamma-catenin, which is bound to alpha-catenin that links the complex to the actin cytoskeleton. It has been reported that alteration in cadherins/catenins function or expression is found in the neoplastic process as a step in metastasis. The aim of this study was to analyze the expressions of E- and N-cadherins and catenins in human pancreatic cancer cell lines. Methods: We examined the expression of cadherins and catenins in 7 human pancreatic cancer cells by RT-PCR, Western blotting, and immunocytochemistry. The interactions between cadherins and beta-catenin were assessed by immunoprecipitation. Results: E- cadherin was expressed in all cell lines except for MIAPaCa-2, whereas N-cadherin was expressed in Capan-2, CFPAC-1, BxPC-3, and PANC-1. The alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenins were expressed and cadherins/beta-catenin interactions were detected in all cadherin-expressing cells. Immunocytochemical analysis showed membranous expression of cadherins and catenins. Conclusion: The decreased or loss of cadherins and catenins expression could be involved in the tumor progression and metastasis, although these events may occur in in vivo conditions by interaction between cancer cells and extracellular matrices.