I can not detect expression of E-cadherin in HepG2 cells by immunofluorescence and western blot in our lab. Also no signal is detected when pan-cadherin antibody is used in immunofluorescence. But β-catenin is easy to detect and located at the cell membrane at high density. I am wondering whether HepG2 cells express E-cadherin or other cadherin family proteins and how could β-catenin localize to cell membrane if no cadherins are expressed?
Hello Lee Yx
Please refer to the research article attached. It will be helpful.
Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-encoded X antigen (HBxAg) contributes to the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). A frequent characteristic of HCC is reduced or absent expression of the cell adhesion protein, E-cadherin, although it is not known whether HBxAg plays a role. To address this, the levels of E-cadherin were determined in HBxAg-positive and -negative HepG2 cells in culture, and in tumor and surrounding non-tumor liver from a panel of HBV carriers.
The results showed an inverse relationship between HBxAg and E-cadherin expression both in tissue culture and in vivo. In HBxAg-positive cells, E-cadherin was suppressed at both the mRNA and protein levels. This was associated with hypermethylation of the E-cadherin promoter. Depressed E-cadherin correlated with HBxAg trans-activation function, as did the migration of HepG2 cells in vitro. Decreased expression of E-cadherin was also associated with the accumulation of β-catenin in the cytoplasm and/or nuclei in tissues and cell lines, which is characteristic of activated β-catenin. Additional work showed that HBxAg-activated β-catenin. Together, these results suggest that the HBxAg is associated with decreased expression of E-cadherin, accumulation of β-catenin in the cytoplasm and nucleus, and increased cell migration, which may contribute importantly to hepato carcinogenesis.
Article Downregulation of E-cadherin by hepatitis B virus X antigen ...
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