Catenin (cadherin-associated protein), alpha 1 Adenovirus

The catenins, alpha, beta and gamma, are ubiquitously expressed, cytoplasmic proteins that associate with E-cadherin at cellular junctions. Catenin-Alpha, a 102 kDa protein, was initially described as an E-cadherin associated protein, and since has been shown to associate with other members of the cadherin family, such as N-cadherin and P-cadherin.The 92 kDa beta-catenin associates with the cytoplasmic portion of E-cadherin, which is necessary for the func-tion of E-cadherin as an adhesion molecule. Beta-catenin has also been found in complexes with the tumor suppressor protein APC. Gamma-catenin, also known as plakoglobin, is an 82 kDa protein that binds with α-catenin and N-cad-herin.