Gene

Cancer

Phenotype

Cell

Cadherin

Organic chemistry

Chemistry

Adherens junction

Cancer research

Genetics

Motility

Cell growth

Contact inhibition

Adhesion

Cell adhesion

Biology

Cell biology

Cancer cell

Oncogene

E-cadherin is a key component of the adherens junctions that are integral in cell adhesion and maintaining epithelial phenotype of cells. Homophilic E-cadherin binding between cells is important in mediating contact inhibition of proliferation when cells reach confluence. Loss of E-cadherin expression results in loss of contact inhibition and is associated with increased cell motility and advanced stages of cancer. In this review we discuss the role of E-cadherin and its downstream signaling in regulation of contact inhibition and the development and progression of cancer.

E-cadherin in contact inhibition and cancer