Definition: Catenins are involved in signaling pathways and tumorigenesis.
Cell-to-cell interactions mediated by cadherins (CDHS) and catenins (CTTNs) play a major role in regulating cell motility, proliferation, and differentiation and account for the inhibition of cell proliferation that occurs when cultured normal cells contact each other ("contact inhibition").
Free β-catenin can act independently of cadherins, functioning as a regulator of nuclear transcription factors in the Wnt signaling pathway.
Function
Catenins (CTNNs) mediate the connection of cadherins to actin filaments and are part of a higher order submembranous network by which cadherins are linked to other transmembrane and peripheral cytoplasmic proteins (cadherin-catenin complex).
The cadherin-catenin complex interacts with epidermal growth factor receptor EGFR (MIM.131550)
Catenins are associated with the tumor suppressor protein APC (MIM.175100)
Pathology of catenins
Mutation and altered expression of the β-catenin pathway is of major importance for cancer development, particularly in gastrointestinal and liver cancers.
Members
alpha-catenins (CTTNAs)
beta-catenins
- beta1-catenin (CTNNB1)
gamma-catenin (plakoglobin ou desmoplakin-3)
delta-catenins (CTNNDs)
References
Cowin P, Rowlands TM, Hatsell SJ. Cadherins and catenins in breast cancer. Curr Opin Cell Biol. 2005 Oct;17(5):499-508. PMID: 16107313