上皮-钙黏着蛋白及其启动子甲基化在头颈癌中的作用

摘要

The development, invasion and metastasis of tumors are complex processes in which multi-factors and multi-stages are involved. Cadherins play important roles in these processes. The structure and function of the epithelium-cadherin (E-cad) protein and the promoter methylation of E-cad gene are briefly introduced in this article. The relationship of promoter methylation of E-cad gene and the development, invasion and metastasis of head and neck carcinoma are also reviewed.%肿瘤的发生、侵袭和转移是一个多因素参与多阶段发展的复杂过程,钙黏着蛋白在这一过程中发挥着重要的作用.本文就上皮-钙黏着蛋白(E-cad)的结构和功能、E-cad启动子甲基化与其蛋白表达的关系、E-cad启动子甲基化对头颈癌发生、侵袭和转移的影响作一综述.