Loss of adhesion is a fundamental step in the metastatic cascade. Desmosomal cadherins, Desmoglein (Dsg) and Desmocollin (Dsc) are a novel group of adhesion molecules. Aims were to demonstrate expression of Dsg2 and E-cadherin in breast cancer cells and assess their role in invasion and motility. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were used to demonstrate expression of Dsg2 and E-cadherin in 3 breast cancer cell lines (MDA MB 231, MCF7 and BT474). Functional studies included cell-cell aggregation, in vitro invasion and colloidal gold phagokinetic tracking assays. All 3 cell lines expressed Dsg2. MCF7 and BT474 cells were E-cadherin positive, MDA 231 was negative. Cell aggregation was reduced, in vitro invasion and motility were increased in Dsg2 or E-cadherin Mab pre-treated cells. Dsg2 present in breast cancer cells may act as a tumour suppressor molecule.

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