beta Catenin

Beta-catenin is a cytosolic, 88 kDa intracellular protein associated with cell surface cadherin glycoproteins. It is a member of the larger calcium-dependent catenin family that includes alpha-catenin, beta-catenin, and gamma-catenin (also known as plakoglobin). Beta-catenin enters the nucleus to interact with TCF/LEF (Lymphoid enhancer factor-1) transcription factor family. It is normally inhibited by the GSK (glycogen synthase kinase) or CK1 (casein kinase 1) as phosphorylation of beta-catenin targets it for ubiquitin-mediated degradation.

The Wnt/beta Catenin signaling pathway plays a critical role in embryonic development, stem cell self-renewal and regeneration. Alterations in this signaling cascade have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer.

Beta Catenin is a cytosolic, 88 kDa intracellular protein that tightly associates with cell surface cadherin glycoproteins. It is one member of the catenin family that includes alpha Catenin, beta Catenin, and gamma Catenin. Colocalization studies using beta-catenin antibodies demonstrate that beta-catenin is a crucial link between cytoplasmic, cytoskeletal actin and transmembrane cadherin for tight cell-to-cell adhesion (1,2).

We at Novus Biologicals place a lot of emphasis on the kinase signaling pathways. Kinases, or phosphotransferase enzymes play a key role in phosphorylation signaling. Over 500 human protein kinases have so far been discovered. They play essential roles in glucose metabolism, apoptosis, lipid transport, cell migration, cellular differentiation and other cellular functions.