Open Access

EpCAM is essential for maintenance of the small intestinal epithelium architecture via regulation of the expression and localization of proteins that compose adherens junctions

  • Authors:
    • Guibin Chen
    • Yanhong Yang
    • Wanwan Liu
    • Li Huang
    • Lanxiang Yang
    • Yuting Lei
    • Huijuan Wu
    • Zili Lei
    • Jiao Guo
  • View Affiliations

  • Published online on: December 10, 2020     https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2020.4815
  • Pages: 621-632
  • Copyright: © Chen et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License.

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Abstract

Epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM) is highly expressed in mammalian intestines, and is essential for maintaining the homeostasis of the intestinal epithelium. EpCAM protein is localized at tight junctions and the basolateral membrane of the intestinal epithelium, where it interacts with many cell adhesion molecules. To explore the molecular functions of EpCAM in regulating adherens junctions in the intestinal epithelium, EpCAM knockout embryos and newborn pups were analyzed. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to assess the histology of the duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon from wild-type and EpCAM‑/‑ mice at E18.5, P0 and P3. The expression and localization of adherens junction‑associated genes and genes that encode the proteins that participate in the assembly of adherens junctions were measured at the mRNA and protein levels using qPCR, western blot analysis and immunofluorescence staining. The results showed that although there was no significant damage to the intestines of EpCAM‑/‑ mice at E18.5 and P0, they were significantly damaged at P3 in mutant mice. The expression of adherens junction‑associated genes in EpCAM mutant mice was normal at the mRNA level from E18.5 to P3, but their protein levels were gradually reduced and mislocalized from E18.5 to P3. The expression of nectin 1, which can regulate the assembly and adhesion activity of E‑cadherin, was also gradually reduced at both the mRNA and protein levels in the intestinal epithelium of EpCAM mutant mice from E18.5 to P3. In summary, the loss of EpCAM may cause the reduction and mislocalization of proteins that compose adherens junctions partly via the downregulation of nectin 1 in the intestines.
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February-2021
Volume 47 Issue 2

Print ISSN: 1107-3756
Online ISSN:1791-244X

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Spandidos Publications style
Chen G, Yang Y, Liu W, Huang L, Yang L, Lei Y, Wu H, Lei Z and Guo J: EpCAM is essential for maintenance of the small intestinal epithelium architecture via regulation of the expression and localization of proteins that compose adherens junctions. Int J Mol Med 47: 621-632, 2021
APA
Chen, G., Yang, Y., Liu, W., Huang, L., Yang, L., Lei, Y. ... Guo, J. (2021). EpCAM is essential for maintenance of the small intestinal epithelium architecture via regulation of the expression and localization of proteins that compose adherens junctions. International Journal of Molecular Medicine, 47, 621-632. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2020.4815
MLA
Chen, G., Yang, Y., Liu, W., Huang, L., Yang, L., Lei, Y., Wu, H., Lei, Z., Guo, J."EpCAM is essential for maintenance of the small intestinal epithelium architecture via regulation of the expression and localization of proteins that compose adherens junctions". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 47.2 (2021): 621-632.
Chicago
Chen, G., Yang, Y., Liu, W., Huang, L., Yang, L., Lei, Y., Wu, H., Lei, Z., Guo, J."EpCAM is essential for maintenance of the small intestinal epithelium architecture via regulation of the expression and localization of proteins that compose adherens junctions". International Journal of Molecular Medicine 47, no. 2 (2021): 621-632. https://doi.org/10.3892/ijmm.2020.4815