title: Characterization of the interactions of alpha-catenin with alpha-actinin and beta-catenin/plakoglobin.
abstract: Cadherins are calcium-dependent, cell surface glycoproteins involved in cell-cell adhesion. To function in cell-cell adhesion, the transmembrane cadherin molecule must be associated with the cytoskeleton via cytoplasmic proteins known as catenins. Three catenins, alpha-catenin, beta-catenin and gamma-catenin (also known as plakoglobin), have been identified. beta-catenin or plakoglobin is associated directly with the cadherin; alpha-catenin binds to beta-catenin/plakoglobin and serves to link the cadherin/catenin complex to the actin cytoskeleton. The domains on the cadherin and betacatenin/plakoglobin that are responsible for protein-protein interactions have been mapped. However, little is known about the molecular interactions between alpha-catenin and beta-catenin/plakoglobin or about the interactions between alpha-catenin and the cytoskeleton. In this study we have used the yeast two-hybrid system to map the domains on alpha-catenin that allow it to associate with beta-catenin/plakoglobin and with alpha-actinin. We also identify a region on alpha-actinin that is responsible for its interaction with alpha-catenin. The yeast two-hybrid data were confirmed with biochemical studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, University of Toledo, OH 43606, USA.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Nieset
authors.forename: A R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Redfield
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jin
authors.forename: K A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Knudsen
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Wheelock
mesh_terms: D000185:Actinin / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D001665:Binding Sites; D002460:Cell Line; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D051180:Desmoplakins; D006801:Humans; D010449:Peptide Mapping; D011485:Protein Binding; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D014162:Transfection; D051178:alpha Catenin; D051185:gamma Catenin
chemical_list: C495273:CTNNA1 protein, human; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D051180:Desmoplakins; C495292:JUP protein, human; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D051178:alpha Catenin; D051185:gamma Catenin; D000185:Actinin