beta-Catenin: a pivot between cell adhesion and Wnt signalling

Curr Biol. 2005 Jan 26;15(2):R64-7. doi: 10.1016/j.cub.2004.12.058.

Abstract

Mutual adhesion of animal cells is intimately linked to Wnt signaling through a shared component: beta-catenin, or Armadillo in Drosophila. Recent work indicates how beta-catenin shifts from cell adhesion to Wnt signaling, a switch associated with epithelial-mesenchymal transitions and cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion / physiology*
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / physiology*
  • Epithelial Cells / metabolism
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology*
  • Mesoderm / metabolism
  • Models, Biological*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Trans-Activators / physiology*
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • alpha Catenin
  • beta Catenin

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Wnt Proteins
  • Zebrafish Proteins
  • alpha Catenin
  • bcl9l protein, zebrafish
  • beta Catenin