Background: Different isoforms of p120-catenin (p120(ctn)), the members of catenin family, are variably expressed in different tissues and cells. These isoforms may confer different properties with respect to cell adhesion and migration, but this concept needs experimental evidence.
Methods: To more precisely define their biological roles, we stably transfected isoforms 1A and 3A into the lung cancer cell lines A549 and NCI-H460, which had low expression of p120(ctn). Using RT-PCR, Western Blot, and Transwell, we testified their impact on the expression of E-cadherin, beta-catenin, and the invasiveness of lung cancer cells.
Results: Expression of isoform 1A of p120(ctn) upregulated E-cadherin and beta-catenin, as well as the ability of cells to invasion. In contrast, overexpression of isoform 3A had a smaller influence on invasion.
Conclusions: P120(ctn) isoforms 1A and 3A may differently regulate the invasive, adhesive of lung cancer cells through distinct regulation of the expression of E-cadherin and beta-catenin.