Multiple functions of α-catenin beyond cell adhesion regulation. (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Takeichi, Masatoshi
• Is Part Of: Current opinion in cell biology. Volume 54(2018)
• Page Start: 24
• Page End: 29
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Cells -- Periodicals; Cytology -- Periodicals; Cell Biology -- Periodicals; Biology -- Periodicals; Cells -- Periodicals; Review Literature -- Periodicals; Cell Biology; Biology; Cells; Review Literature; Cellules -- Périodiques; Cytologie -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 571.6
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2018.02.014
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0955-0674

Abstract

Abstract : α-Catenin is known to play a pivotal role in cell–cell adhesion as a cytoplasmic partner for the cadherin adhesion receptors that are essential for tissue organization. The action of cadherins to firmly connect cells together depends on α-catenin; without α-catenin, cells tend to disperse. Despite this established role of α-catenin in cell junction formation, evidence has accumulated that it also plays extra-junctional roles, regulating various cell behaviors such as cell motility and polarity. Moreover, α-catenin has also been detected in non-metazoan organisms that lack cadherins, suggesting that its ancient role may not be related to cell adhesion. This article provides an overview of recent findings of such cadherin-independent functions of α-catenin, and discusses how these functions can be performed.