Catenin
Cell Junctions

Author: monica mangioni
Date: 28/06/2007

Description

The catenins are a class of cytoplasmic proteins that are ubiquitously expressed.
They are found in complexes with cadherins and link them to the cytoskeleton.

The name "catenin" was originally selected because 'catena' means 'chain' in Latin.

Types

Alpha catenin

Alpha catenin is a 102 kDa actin-binding protein at the adherens junction. It attaches the microfilaments and associated proteins ( vinculin, alpha-actinin) to the transmembrane cell adhesion molecules, cadherins, via β-catenin.
The amino acid sequence of alpha-catenin has sequence similarity to that of vinculin.

There are three human alpha-catenin genes on different chromosomes

GeneCTNNA1CTNNA2CTNNA3
Gene map locus15q31 2p12-p11.110q21
Entrez Gene14951496 29119
OMIM116805114025607667
EnsemblENSG00000044115ENSBTAG00000031668ENSG00000183230
CCDS342437269

Beta catenin

Beta catenin is a 94 kDa component of cell-cell adhesion.
It is a member of the armadillo family of proteins. These proteins have multiple copies of the so-called armadillo repeat domain which is specialized for protein-protein binding.

Beta catenin is found in at least 3 cellular pools:

  • adherent junctions in association with the transmembrane receptor, E-cadherin, and the cytoskeletal linker, alpha-catenin
  • cytoplasm
  • nucleus in association with other trascription factor

β-catenin roles:

  • β-catenin is a subunit of the cadherin protein complex.
    It binds to both the C-terminus of the cadherin intracellular domain and the N-terminus of α-catenin, linking cadherin receptors to the cytoskeleton.
    When beta-catenin is not associated with cadherins and alpha-catenin, it can interact with several different proteins inside cells. The interaction is often regulated by the reversible attachment of phosphate.
  • β-catenin is also a protooncogene and take part of the Wnt/β-catenin/ Tcf signalling pathway that controls numerous events in development, including differentiation, proliferation and morphogenesis.
GeneCTNNB1
Gene map locus3p22-p21.3
Entrez Gene 1499
OMIM116806
EnsemblENSG00000168036
CCDS2694

Delta catenin

Delta-catenin belongs to the p120-catenin (p120ctn) protein family, which is characterized by ten, characteristically spaced Armadillo repeats that bind to the juxtamembrane segment of the classical cadherins. d-catenin is the only member of this family that is expressed specifically in neurons. As a component of both adherens and synaptic junctions, d-catenin can link the adherens junction to the synapse and, thereby, coordinate synaptic input with changes in the adherens junction. [1]

GeneCTNND1CTNND1
Gene map locus11q115p15.2
Entrez Gene15001501
OMIM601045604275
EnsemblENSG00000198561ENSG00000169862
CCDS3881

Gamma catenin or Plakophilins

Plakophilins 1–3 are members of the p120ctn family of armadillo-related proteins. The plakophilins have been characterized as desmosomal proteins, they are essential components that interact with desmosomal cadherins as well as the cytoskeletal linker protein desmoplakin. Plakophilins stabilize desmosomal proteins at the plasma membrane. The three plakophilins reveal distinct expression patterns, and although partially redundant in their function, mediate distinct effects on desmosomal adhesion. [2]

GeneJUP
Gene map locus17q21
Entrez Gene3728
OMIM173325
EnsemblENSG00000173801
CCDS11407

Map of Catenin interactions

Attachments
fileuserdate
catenin.gifmonica29/06/2007
AddThis Social Bookmark Button