Scientists link cellular ‘glue,’ breast cancer suppression

New research has demonstrated the link between a protein associated with desmosomes, the ‘glue’ that sticks cells together, and breast cancer suppression. The protein, called Perp, provides a potential new target for future breast cancer treatment. Desmosomes, the collections of proteins responsible for the mechanical strength of tissues, have also been thought to be involved in helping to suppress cancer and Perp specifically has been found to be associated with desmosomes in breast epithelial cells. Lack of cell adhesion is part of the progression of metastasis. “Perp deficiency caused defects in desmosomal protein expression in breast epithelial cells,” Laura Attardi, who led the research, said. “At the same time there was an enhanced inflammatory response in the breast tissue, and tumors tended to develop more quickly. We also found in the lab that breast cancer cells had abnormally low levels of Perp.”