Exploring the Role of Cadherins in Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition and Mesenchymal–Epithelial Transition-Associated Tumorigenesis

Abstract

The malignant tumors develop when tumor cells overcome the cell–cell adhesion and invade the surrounding tissue. The epithelium consists of E-cadherin as the main adhesion molecule, which is mainly implicated in the carcinogenesis as it is frequently lost in the human epithelial tumors. Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and its reverse mesenchymal–epithelial transition (MET) have been suggested to play crucial roles in metastatic dissemination of carcinomas. E-cadherin loss may promote invasion, and re-expression may facilitate cell survival within metastatic deposits. The mechanisms underlying such plasticity are unclear. Here, we summarize the role of cadherins in EMT- and MET-associated tumorigenesis by accumulating the experimental evidences that directly supports it.