E-cadherin Glycosylation in Cancer

Abstract

E-cadherin is an epithelial cell-cell adhesion glycoprotein playing key roles in cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Glycosylation modifications of E-cadherin have been described to be instrumental for its biological functions both in homeostasis and in cancer cell biology. Different glycan structures have been described to regulate E-cadherin expression through interfering with its basic mechanisms including E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion, E-cadherin cellular trafficking, and E-cadherin-dependent signaling pathways. These E-cadherin glycosylation modifications have impact in tumor development and progression, being attractive biomarkers in the clinical setting.