Anti-beta-Catenin Purified

Beta-catenin is a multifunctional protein involved both in cell adhesion and in activation of transcription. Calcium-dependent intercellular adhesion transmembrane glycoprotein E-cadherin interacts by its cytoplasmic domain with reciprocally bound alpha, beta and gamma catenin. Beta-catenin links this complex through alpha-actinin to the cytoskeleton. Functional cadherin-catenin system is important for invasiveness of tumour cells. Beta-catenin level in cytoplasm is controlled by glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta. When activity of this kinase is blocked (e.g. by excessive stimulation of Wnt signaling pathway), hypophosphorylated stable form of beta-catenin accumulates in the cytoplasm, translocates to the nucleus and activates transcription of genes including those that are involved in cell cycle control. As a result, cell division and neoplastic transformation are promoted.