Catenin, beta (FITC)

The protein encoded by this gene is part of a complex of proteins that constitute adherens junctions (AJs). AJs are necessary for the creation and maintenance of epithelial cell layers by regulating cell growth and adhesion between cells. The encoded protein also anchors the actin cytoskeleton and may be responsible for transmitting the contact inhibition signal that causes cells to stop dividing once the epithelial sheet is complete. Finally, this protein binds to the product of the APC gene, which is mutated in adenomatous polyposis of the colon. Mutations in this gene are a cause of colorectal cancer (CRC), pilomatrixoma (PTR), medulloblastoma (MDB), and ovarian cancer. Three transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found for this gene.[provided by RefSeq, Oct 2009]

CTNNB1: a regulator of cell adhesion and a key downstream effector in the Wnt signaling pathway. Implicated early embryonic development and tumorigenesis. Phosphorylated and destabilized by CK1 and GSK-3beta. Stabilized cytoplasmic beta-catenin is a hallmark of a variety of cancers. Stabilized beta-catenin translocates to the nucleus, where it acts as a transcriptional activator of T-cell factor (TCF)-regulated genes. Interacts with the PDZ domain of TAX1BP3, inhibiting its transcriptional activity. Two alternatively spliced human isoforms have been described.

Protein type: Cell adhesion; Nuclear receptor co-regulator; Motility/polarity/chemotaxis; Transcription factor; Oncoprotein; Actin-binding

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 3p21

Cellular Component: centrosome; basolateral plasma membrane; fascia adherens; intercellular junction; beta-catenin destruction complex; cytosol; transcription factor complex; cell-cell adherens junction; membrane; lamellipodium; perinuclear region of cytoplasm; cytoplasm; synapse; dendritic shaft; lateral plasma membrane; spindle pole; focal adhesion; tight junction; catenin complex; cell cortex; Z disc; nucleoplasm; adherens junction; apical part of cell; microvillus membrane; plasma membrane; cell junction; nucleus

Molecular Function: protein C-terminus binding; transcription coactivator activity; protein phosphatase binding; transcription factor binding; ionotropic glutamate receptor binding; protein binding; signal transducer activity; enzyme binding; androgen receptor binding; cadherin binding; double-stranded DNA binding; protein complex binding; estrogen receptor binding; nitric-oxide synthase binding; SMAD binding; kinase binding; transcription factor activity; nuclear hormone receptor binding; alpha-catenin binding

Biological Process: regulation of myelination; regulation of centriole-centriole cohesion; protein heterooligomerization; positive regulation of apoptosis; regulation of fibroblast proliferation; positive regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; cell maturation; negative regulation of chondrocyte differentiation; T cell differentiation in the thymus; positive regulation of fibroblast growth factor receptor signaling pathway; Wnt receptor signaling pathway through beta-catenin; osteoclast differentiation; cell-cell adhesion; positive regulation of endothelial cell differentiation; embryonic foregut morphogenesis; positive regulation of mesenchymal cell proliferation; regulation of cell fate specification; ectoderm development; synapse organization and biogenesis; male genitalia development; cell adhesion; bone resorption; response to drug; positive regulation of neuroblast proliferation; positive regulation of I-kappaB kinase/NF-kappaB cascade; transcription, DNA-dependent; regulation of smooth muscle cell proliferation; hair cell differentiation; negative regulation of protein sumoylation; patterning of blood vessels; genitalia morphogenesis; muscle cell differentiation; midgut development; smooth muscle cell differentiation; positive regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; embryonic digit morphogenesis; negative regulation of transcription, DNA-dependent; oocyte development; embryonic forelimb morphogenesis; negative regulation of osteoclast differentiation; glial cell fate determination; endodermal cell fate commitment; apoptosis; cell-matrix adhesion; neuron migration; cell fate specification; dorsal/ventral axis specification; positive regulation of histone H3-K4 methylation; negative regulation of transcription from RNA polymerase II promoter; embryonic hindlimb morphogenesis; response to estradiol stimulus; negative regulation of cell proliferation; central nervous system vasculogenesis; positive regulation of MAPKKK cascade; pancreas development; positive regulation of interferon type I production; fallopian tube development; proximal/distal pattern formation; layer formation in the cerebral cortex; negative regulation of mitotic cell cycle, embryonic; cell structure disassembly during apoptosis; Wnt receptor signaling pathway; hair follicle morphogenesis; thymus development; in utero embryonic development; regulation of T cell proliferation; embryonic axis specification; neural plate development; stem cell maintenance; synaptic vesicle transport; gastrulation with mouth forming second; liver development; regulation of angiogenesis; odontogenesis of dentine-containing teeth; negative regulation of oligodendrocyte differentiation; myoblast differentiation; Schwann cell proliferation; positive regulation of osteoblast differentiation; response to cadmium ion; ureteric bud branching; response to cytokine stimulus; androgen receptor signaling pathway; positive regulation of muscle cell differentiation; epithelial to mesenchymal transition; embryonic heart tube development; innate immune response; lens morphogenesis in camera-type eye; anterior/posterior axis specification

Disease: Pilomatrixoma; Mental Retardation, Autosomal Dominant 19; Ovarian Cancer; Colorectal Cancer; Hepatocellular Carcinoma