Cadherin/catenin complex appears to be intact in hepatocellular carcinomas from Australia and South Africa

Background and Aim: E‐cadherin binds to β‐catenin to form the cadherin/catenin complex required for strong cell adhesion. Inactivation of this complex in tumors facilitates invasion into surrounding tissues. Alterations of both proteins have been reported in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). However, the interactions between E‐cadherin and β‐catenin in HCC from different geographical groups have not been explored. The aim of the present study was to assess the role of E‐cadherin and β‐catenin in Australian and South African patients with HCC. Methods: DNA was extracted from malignant and non‐malignant liver tissue from 37 Australian and 24 South African patients, and from histologically normal liver from 20 transplant donors. Chromosomal instability at 16q22, promoter methylation at E‐cadherin, β‐catenin mutations and E‐cadherin and β‐catenin protein expression was assessed using loss of heterozygosity, methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction, denaturing high‐performance liquid chromatography and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Results: Loss of heterozygosity at 16q22 was prevalent in South African HCC patients (50%vs 11%; P