Catenins are proteins found in complexes with cadherin cell adhesion molecules of animal cells. The first two catenins that were identified became known as alpha-catenin and beta-catenin. alpha-catenin can bind to beta-catenin and can also bind actin. beta-catenin binds the cytoplasmic domain of some cadherins. When beta-catenin was sequenced it was found to be 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. An increase in beta-catenin production has been noted in those people who have Basal Cell Carcinoma and leads to the increase in proliferation of related tumors. When beta-catenin is not associated with cadherins and alpha-catenin, it can interact with other proteins such as Catenin Beta Interacting Protein 1 (ICAT) and adenomatosis polyposis coli (APC). Recent evidence suggests that beta-catenin plays an important role in various aspects of liver biology including liver development (both embryonic and postnatal), liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy. HGF-induced hepatpomegaly, liver zonation, and pathogenesis of liver cancer.
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