Cortactin: molecular regulation of cadherin activity and epithelial morphogenesis.

Funded Activity Summary

Interactions between cells and their neighbouring cells control many important processes in the body. The adhesion molecule E-cadherin is a major protein that controls how cells interact with one another in many epithelial tissues (e.g. breast, lung, gut). These tissues are the source of many common diseases, particular cancer and inflammation. E-cadherin is essential for these tissues to form normally, and loss of E-cadherin function contributes to disease in these tissues (especially common cancers, such as breast and lung). Understanding how E-cadherin controls normal cell function in these tissues will therefore provide key insights into how disease arises. In this study we will investigate how a protein which binds to E-cadherin, cortactin, contributes to the biological effect of E-cadherin in supporting tissue architecture. Understanding the fundamental elements of how cortactin works with E-cadherin will provide invaluable information into how cells recognize one another in health, and fail to adequately recognize each other in common diseases.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2004

End Date: 01-01-2006

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $239,250.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Cellular Interactions (Incl. Adhesion, Matrix, Cell Wall)

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

There are no SEO codes available for this funding activity

Other Keywords

Adhesion mechanisms | Cancer | Cortactin | E-cadherin | Epithelial Neoplasms, malignant | Epithelial function | Epithelial morphogenesis | Gastrointestinal disease | Kidney disease

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