Up-regulation of N-cadherin by Collagen I-activated Discoidin Domain Receptor 1 in Pancreatic Cancer Requires the Adaptor Molecule Shc1.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas are highly malignant cancers characterized by extensive invasion into surrounding tissues, metastasis to distant organs, and a limited response to therapy. A main feature of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinomas is desmoplasia, which leads to extensive deposition of collagen I. We have demonstrated that collagen I can induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in pancreatic cancer cells.

Palmitoylation of plakophilin is required for desmosome assembly.

Desmosomes are prominent adhesive junctions found in various epithelial tissues. The cytoplasmic domains of desmosomal cadherins interact with a host of desmosomal plaque proteins, including plakophilins, plakoglobin and desmoplakin, which, in turn, recruit the intermediate filament cytoskeleton to sites of cell-cell contact. Although the individual components of the desmosome are known, mechanisms regulating the assembly of this junction are poorly understood.