Figure 8. Model of the role of PG in prostate cancer adhesion and motility.
Loss of PG results in a double negative hit on cell-cell junctions, while orchestrating alterations in extracellular matrix that promote motility. PG levels correspond directly to the strength of cell-cell adhesion in PCa cells. Down-regulation of PG leads to loss of cell-cell adhesion strength. Concomitantly, loss of PG causes up-regulation of VN and activation of Src. Together, these cell-cell and cell-ECM dependent effects of PG down-regulation lead to an increase in PCa cell motility.