Loss of polarity alters proliferation and differentiation in low-grade endometrial cancers by disrupting Notch signaling

PLoS One. 2017 Dec 5;12(12):e0189081. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0189081. eCollection 2017.

Abstract

Cell adhesion and apicobasal polarity together maintain epithelial tissue organization and homeostasis. Loss of adhesion has been described as a prerequisite for the epithelial to mesenchymal transition. However, what role misregulation of apicobasal polarity promotes tumor initiation and/or early progression remains unclear. We find that human low-grade endometrial cancers are associated with disrupted localization of the apical polarity protein Par3 and Ezrin while, the adhesion molecule E-cadherin remains unchanged, accompanied by decreased Notch signaling, and altered Notch receptor localization. Depletion of Par3 or Ezrin, in a cell-based model, results in loss of epithelial architecture, differentiation, increased proliferation, migration and decreased Notch signaling. Re-expression of Par3 in endometrial cancer cell lines with disrupted Par3 protein levels blocks proliferation and reduces migration in a Notch dependent manner. These data uncover a function for apicobasal polarity independent of cell adhesion in regulating Notch-mediated differentiation signals in endometrial epithelial cells.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation*
  • Cell Polarity / physiology*
  • Cell Proliferation*
  • Dogs
  • Endometrial Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells
  • Receptors, Notch / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Receptors, Notch