The E-cadherin/catenin protein complex regulates the functional integrity of epithelia by
mediating specific intercellular adhesion. Defects in the transmembrane E-cadherin protein
play an important role in several human cancer types. E-cadherin-inactivating mutations
were mainly found in sporadic lobular breast carcinoma and in both familial and sporadic
diffuse gastric carcinoma. Armadillo proteins such as β-catenin and p120ctn are complexed
to the cytoplasmic tail of E-cadherin, whereas the vinculin-related αE-catenin protein forms a …