“…Loss of a-actinin-4 disrupts the integrity of tight junctions and has been associated with cancer invasion and metastasis (Nakatsuji et al, 2008). However, in most studies, high levels of a-actinin-4 correlate with poor outcome or advanced disease (Honda et al, 1998;Honda et al, 2005;Honda et al, 2004;Kikuchi et al, 2008;Menez et al, 2004;Patrie et al, 2002;Weins et al, 2007;Welsch et al, 2009;Yamada et al, 2010;Yamamoto et al, 2007;Yamamoto et al, 2009), and the relevance of its role in tight junction assembly for cancer thus remains unclear. Other functions of a-actinin-4, such as in leading edge protrusion (Honda et al, 1998) might contribute to metastasis and further study is warranted.…”