A novel function of CD82/KAI-1 on E-cadherin-mediated homophilic cellular adhesion of cancer cells

In this study, we analyzed the effect of the metastasis suppressor CD82/KAI-1, a member of the tetraspanin superfamily, on intercellular adhesion on cancer cells. The newly established invasion assay and the cell aggregation assay revealed that CD82 strengthens E-cadherin-mediated intercellular adhesion. Interestingly, ectopic expression of CD82 stabilized E-cadherin/β-catenin complex formation. Furthermore, CD82 reduced tyrosine phosphorylation of β-catenin on HGF stimulation. Taken together, CD82 may stabilize or strengthen E-cadherin-dependent intercellular adhesion by regulating β-catenin-mediated signal transduction on cancer cells, and consequently, prevent cancer cells from seceding from the primary tumor site.