Protecting your tail: regulation of cadherin degradation by p120-catenin.
Work in various model systems has yielded conflicting views of how p120-catenin participates in adherens junction assembly and regulation. A series of recent studies indicate that a core function of p120-catenin in mammalian cells is to regulate cadherin turnover by modulating the entry of cadherins into degradative endocytic pathways. By this mechanism, cellular levels of p120-catenin perform a 'rheostat' or 'set point' function that controls steady-state cadherin levels. These studies parallel a growing interest in the regulation of cadherin levels at the cell surface by membrane trafficking pathways. Collectively, the findings suggest exciting new roles for p120-catenin at the interface between cadherins and membrane trafficking machinery, and imply novel mechanisms by which p120-catenin may regulate cell adhesion and migration in the context of development and cancer.
Kowalczyk
Andrew P
AP
Departments of Dermatology and Cell Biology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia 30322, USA. akowalc@emory.edu
Reynolds
Albert B
AB
D000818:Animals; D015820:Cadherins / Q000378:metabolism*; D051177:Catenins; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000502:physiology; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000378:metabolism*; D007365:Intercellular Junctions / Q000502:physiology*; D008954:Models, Biological; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D021381:Protein Transport / Q000502:physiology; D022161:Transport Vesicles / Q000378:metabolism; D000095002:Delta Catenin
D015820:Cadherins; D051177:Catenins; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D010750:Phosphoproteins; D000095002:Delta Catenin