Comparative evaluation of [beta]-catenin and E-cadherin expression in liquid aspiration biopsy specimens of thyroid nodules

We compared the results of gene molecular and immunocytochemical studies of [beta]-catenin and E-cadherin in different variants of nodular thyroid disease (nodular colloid goiter, follicular thyroid adenocarcinoma, papillary thyroid cancer) and revealed changes of the function of the E-cadherin/[beta]-catenin complex leading to switching from adhesion function of [beta]-catenin in nodular colloid goiter to predominantly transcriptional activity in papillary carcinoma. The results confirm the important role of disturbances in E-cadherin-[beta]-catenin interactions in the mechanisms of malignant transformation of follicular epithelium. Key Words: [beta]-catenin; E-cadherin; thyroid cancer