Catenin, Alpha-1 (CTNNA1) Antibody – Mouse Monoclonal

CTNNA1: Associates with the cytoplasmic domain of a variety of cadherins. The association of catenins to cadherins produces a complex which is linked to the actin filament network, and which seems to be of primary importance for cadherins cell-adhesion properties. Can associate with both E- and N-cadherins. Originally believed to be a stable component of E-cadherin/catenin adhesion complexes and to mediate the linkage of cadherins to the actin cytoskeleton at adherens junctions. In contrast, cortical actin was found to be much more dynamic than E-cadherin/catenin complexes and CTNNA1 was shown not to bind to F-actin when assembled in the complex suggesting a different linkage between actin and adherens junctions components. The homodimeric form may regulate actin filament assembly and inhibit actin branching by competing with the Arp2/3 complex for binding to actin filaments. May play a crucial role in cell differentiation. Monomer and homodimer; the monomer preferentially binds to CTNNB1 and the homodimer to actin. Binds MLLT4 and F-actin. Possible component of an E-cadherin/ catenin adhesion complex together with E-cadherin/CDH1 and beta-catenin/CTNNB1 or gamma- catenin/JUP; the complex is located to adherens junctions. The stable association of CTNNA1 is controversial as CTNNA1 was shown not to bind to F-actin when assembled in the complex. Alternatively, the CTNNA1-containing complex may be linked to F- actin by other proteins such as LIMA1. Interacts with ARHGAP21 and with AJUBA. Interacts with LIMA1. Expressed ubiquitously in normal tissues. Belongs to the vinculin/alpha-catenin family. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing.

Protein type: Motility/polarity/chemotaxis; Actin-binding

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 5q31.2

Cellular Component: focal adhesion; lamellipodium; acrosome; plasma membrane; intercellular junction; zonula adherens; catenin complex; cytosol; actin cytoskeleton

Molecular Function: actin filament binding; protein binding; cadherin binding; gamma-catenin binding; beta-catenin binding; structural molecule activity; vinculin binding

Biological Process: intercellular junction assembly and maintenance; apical junction assembly; gap junction assembly; protein heterooligomerization; axon regeneration; male gonad development; establishment and/or maintenance of cell polarity; actin filament organization; odontogenesis of dentine-containing teeth; muscle cell differentiation; ovarian follicle development; negative regulation of neuroblast proliferation; response to estrogen stimulus; positive regulation of muscle cell differentiation; positive regulation of smoothened signaling pathway; cell adhesion; vascular endothelial growth factor receptor signaling pathway; aging