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Title: Polarity determination in breast tissue: Desmosomal adhesion, myoepit helial cells, and laminin 1

Journal Article · · The Breast Cancer Journal
OSTI ID:816540

In all epithelial organs, apicobasal polarity determines functional integrity and contributes to the maintenance of tissue and organ specificity. In the breast, the functional unit is a polar double-layered tube consisting of luminal epithelial cells surrounded by myoepithelial cells and a basement membrane. It is far from clear how this double-layered structure is established and how polarity is maintained. Two recent papers have shed some light onto this intriguing problem in mammary gland biology. The results point to desmosomes and laminin 1 as having crucial roles. However, some questions remain.

Research Organization:
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Director, Office of Science. Office of Biological and Environmental Research. Life Sciences Division (US)
DOE Contract Number:
AC03-76SF00098
OSTI ID:
816540
Report Number(s):
LBNL-52880; R&D Project: 443180; TRN: US200320%%627
Journal Information:
The Breast Cancer Journal, Vol. 5, Issue 2; Other Information: Journal Publication Date: 2003; PBD: 5 Jun 2003
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English