The ins and outs of E-cadherin trafficking

Bryant, D. M. and Stow, J. L. (2004) The ins and outs of E-cadherin trafficking. Trends in Cell Biology, 14(8), pp. 427-34. (doi: 10.1016/j.tcb.2004.07.007)

Abstract

One way of controlling the activity of E-cadherin--a protein that is, simultaneously, a major cell-adhesion molecule, a powerful tumour suppressor, a determinant of cell polarity and a partner to the potent catenin signalling molecules--is to keep it on the move. During the past two decades, many insights into the fundamental role of E-cadherin in these processes have been garnered. Studies during the past five years have begun to reveal the importance of intracellular trafficking as a means of regulating the functions of E-cadherin. E-cadherin is trafficked to and from the cell surface by exocytic and multiple endocytic pathways. In this article, we survey the vesicle-trafficking machinery that is responsible for the sorting, transport, actin association and vesicle targeting of E-cadherin to regulate its movement and function during growth and development and, possibly, in cancer.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bryant, Dr David
• Authors: Bryant, D. M., and Stow, J. L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Trends in Cell Biology
• Publisher: Elsevier Ltd.
• ISSN: 0962-8924
• ISSN (Online): 1879-3088