Regulation of β-Catenin Signaling in the Wnt Pathway

doi:10.1006/bbrc.1999.1860

Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications

Volume 268, Issue 2, 16 February 2000, Pages 243-248

https://doi.org/10.1006/bbrc.1999.1860 Get rights and content

Abstract

β-Catenin not only regulates cell to cell adhesion as a protein interacting with cadherin, but also functions as a component of the Wnt signaling pathway. The Wnt signaling pathway is conserved in various organisms from worms to mammals, and plays important roles in development, cellular proliferation, and differentiation. Wnt stabilizes cytoplasmic β-catenin and then β-catenin is translocated into the nucleus where it stimulates the expression of genes including c-myc, c-jun, fra-1, and cyclin D1. The amounts and functions of β-catenin are regulated in both the cytoplasm and nucleus. Its molecular mechanisms are becoming increasingly well understood.

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Regulation of β-Catenin Signaling in the Wnt Pathway