Alexa Fluor® 594 Anti-E Cadherin (phospho S838 + S840) antibody [EP913(2)Y]

Supplementary info

Activity summary

E-Cadherin sometimes called CDH1 or Cadherin-1 is a protein that plays a role in cell-to-cell adhesion. This transmembrane protein has a molecular weight of approximately 120 kDa. E-Cadherin is mainly expressed in epithelial tissues of various organs including the skin and gut. Its adhesive function is made possible by its extracellular domain that facilitates homophilic binding between cells contributing to the maintenance of tissue architecture and cellular integrity.

Biological function summary

E-Cadherin participates in establishing and maintaining adherens junctions which are vital for tissue structure. E-Cadherin operates as a core component of the cadherin-catenin complex which links the protein to the actin cytoskeleton. Through this linkage E-Cadherin plays an important role in signaling pathways that influence cellular growth and differentiation. The protein's ability to mediate intercellular connections also regulates cellular motility and supports basic aspects of cell behavior in epithelial tissues.

Pathways

E-Cadherin influences both the Wnt signaling pathway and the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Within the Wnt signaling pathway E-Cadherin partners with β-catenin a significant player in transcription regulation and cell signaling. Disruption in E-Cadherin's adhesive functionality can lead to increased β-catenin availability affecting downstream transcriptional control. In the EMT process E-Cadherin loss characterizes an important step in which cells gain migratory and invasive properties typically seen during metastasis in cancer progression.

Associated diseases and disorders

E-Cadherin's role is prominent in cancer particularly in the context of gastric and breast cancers. Mutations or altered expression of E-Cadherin lead to diminished cell adhesion promoting tumorigenesis and metastatic spread. In gastric cancer for instance mutated E-Cadherin often associates with loss of epithelial function facilitating cancer cell dissemination. Additionally its loss or dysfunction may correlate with proteins such as β-catenin further impacting cancer progression and pathology.