Figure 4

E-cadherin expression is downregulated by stimulation with HGF in mock- and WTMet-transfected cells or by the expression of constitutively active Met. Fetal human colon epithelial cells were cultured on glass coverslips and transfected with empty vector, WTMet or Metmut constructs and grown with or without the addition of 100 ng ml⁻¹ HGF for 24 h. Slides were processed for indirect immunofluorescence and analysed on a confocal microscope for E-cadherin expression. Arrows depict cell–cell boundaries (A). In parallel, protein lysates were prepared and blots were stained for E-cadherin expression. As a control, β-Actin was used. The calculated values by densitrometry are shown for E-cadherin protein levels (B).