Fig. 4.

ERp29 regulates epithelial cell morphogenesis. Over-expression of ERp29 in breast cancer cells induces the transition from a mesenchymal-like to epithelial-like phenotype and the restoration of tight junctions and cell polarity. Up-regulation and membrane distribution of these molecules result in re-establishment of cell–cell contacts and epithelial-like phenotypic features. By contrast, ERp29 knockdown by shRNA in epithelial breast cancer cells reduces the expression and membrane localization of these “identity” proteins and disrupts cell–cell adhesion [3].