{"type":"root","children":[{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Claudin-7 is encoded by the CLDN7 gene and is a member of the claudin family. Claudin-7 is a component of tight junctions and plays important roles in maintaining cell polarity and tightly connecting the barriers between cells. Abnormal Claudin-7 protein expression is closely related to tumor occurrence, development, and metastasis."}]},{"type":"paragraph","children":[{"type":"text","value":"Claudin-7 expression is down-regulated in Colorectal Cancer (CRC) and Lung Cancer tissues and loss of Claudin-7 is associated with the degree of cancer cell differentiation and metastasis. Claudin-7 may serve as a tumor suppressor, as it is involved in pathways of cell proliferation and epithelial barrier formation through Integrin signaling networks. The deficient extracellular matrix in cells with low Claudin-7 expression promotes abnormal growth patterns and metastasis in Ductal and Lobular Breast Carcinomas, and Claudin-7 expression is lost in ~50% of primary tumors in Breast Cancers. While Claudin-7 downregulation was found in Esophageal, Head/Neck, and Prostate Cancers, overexpression of Claudin-7 is found in many Ovarian Cancers and may also lead to increased tumor invasiveness."}]}]}