p120 catenin (p120ctn) is required for the stability of classic cadherins at the cell surface and is thought to play a central role in modulating cell-cell adhesion. Cytoplasmic p120ctn promotes cell motility, and probably other activities, by modulating the activities of RhoA, Rac and Cdc42. E-cadherin is expressed in periportal but not in perivenous hepatocytes. In contrast, all hepatocytes of normal mouse liver express N-cadherin. Cholangiocytes express exclusively E-cadherin. Mice with p120ctn ablation in hepatocytes and cholangiocytes (p120LiKO mice) were generated by Cre-loxP technology. Livers were examined by histological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural and serum analysis to determine the effect of the p120ctn ablation on liver structure and function. Mouse hepatocyte differentiation and homeostasis were not impaired. However, hepatoblasts differentiated abnormally into hybrid hepato-biliary cells, ductal plate structures were irregular in p120LiKO newborns, and further development of intrahepatic bile ducts was severely impaired. In adults, enrichment of ductular structures was accompanied by portal inflammation and fibrosis. p120LiKO mice did not spontaneously develop hepatocellular carcinoma but initiation of hepatocarcinogenesis by diethylnitrosamine was accelerated. In summary: p120ctn has a critical role in biliary differentiation and is a potent suppressor of liver tumor growth.

中文翻译：

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小鼠中p120 catenin的失活干扰了肝内胆管的发育并加重了肝癌的发生。

p120 catenin（p120ctn）是经典钙粘蛋白在细胞表面的稳定性所必需的，并且被认为在调节细胞间粘附方面起着核心作用。细胞质p120ctn通过调节RhoA，Rac和Cdc42的活性来促进细胞运动，并可能促进其他活动。E-钙粘着蛋白在门静脉组织中表达，但在静脉肝细胞中不表达。相反，正常小鼠肝脏的所有肝细胞均表达N-钙粘着蛋白。胆管细胞仅表达E-钙粘蛋白。通过Cre-loxP技术生成了在肝细胞和胆管细胞中具有p120ctn消融的小鼠（p120LiKO小鼠）。通过组织学，免疫组织化学，超微结构和血清分析检查肝脏，以确定p120ctn消融对肝脏结构和功能的影响。小鼠肝细胞分化和体内平衡未受到损害。然而，p120LiKO新生儿的成肝细胞异常分化为杂合肝胆细胞，导管板结构不规则，严重损害了肝内胆管的进一步发育。在成年人中，导管结构的富集伴随着门静脉炎症和纤维化。p120LiKO小鼠没有自发发展为肝细胞癌，但是通过二乙基亚硝胺促进了肝癌的发生。总结：p120ctn在胆汁分化中起关键作用，是肝肿瘤生长的有效抑制剂。导管结构的富集伴随有门脉炎症和纤维化。p120LiKO小鼠没有自发发展为肝细胞癌，但是通过二乙基亚硝胺促进了肝癌的发生。总结：p120ctn在胆汁分化中起关键作用，是肝肿瘤生长的有效抑制剂。导管结构的富集伴随有门脉炎症和纤维化。p120LiKO小鼠没有自发发展为肝细胞癌，但是通过二乙基亚硝胺促进了肝癌的发生。总结：p120ctn在胆汁分化中起关键作用，并且是肝肿瘤生长的有效抑制剂。