Beta-catenin belongs together with alpha- and gamma-catenin to the catenin family. Catenins mediates cell-cell adhesion by interaction with cadherins. Beta-catenin is highly homologous to gamma-catenin (plakoglobin) although its function differs from that of plakoglobin. Whereas plakoglobin has been found to suppress tumorigenicity, beta-catenin potentiates hyperproliferation and tumor formation. In the nucleus beta-catenin it complexes with transcription factors and thus regulates the expression of specific genes. By its dual role, i.e. a structural role in cell-cell junctions and a regulatory role in the nucleus, beta-catenin can transduce changes in cell adhesion and junction formation to control transmembrane signalling and gene expression.
Applications: Flow Cytometry , Immunofluorescence , Immunoprecipitation , Western Blot