Plakoglobin, or an 83-kD homologue distinct from beta-catenin, interacts with E-cadherin and N-cadherin

J Cell Biol. 1992 Aug;118(3):671-9. doi: 10.1083/jcb.118.3.671.

Abstract

E- and N-cadherin are members of a family of calcium-dependent, cell surface glycoproteins involved in cell-cell adhesion. Extracellularly, the transmembrane cadherins self-associate, while, intracellularly, they interact with the actin-based cytoskeleton. Several intracellular proteins, collectively termed catenins, have been noted to co-immunoprecipitate with E- and N-cadherin and are thought to be involved in linking the cadherins to the cytoskeleton. Two catenins have been identified recently: a 102-kD vinculin-like protein (alpha-catenin) and a 92-kD Drosophila armadillo/plakoglobin-like protein (beta-catenin). Here, we show that plakoglobin, or an 83-kD plakoglobin-like protein, co-immunoprecipitates and colocalizes with both E- and N-cadherin. The 83-kD protein is immunologically distinct from the 92-kD beta-catenin and, because of its molecular mass, likely represents the cadherin-associated protein called gamma-catenin. Thus, two different members of a plakoglobin family associate with N- and E-cadherin and, together with the 102-kD alpha-catenin, appear to participate in linking the cadherins to the actin-based cytoskeleton.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cadherins / chemistry
  • Cadherins / metabolism*
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chick Embryo
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / metabolism*
  • Desmoplakins
  • Fluorescent Antibody Technique
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Trans-Activators*
  • beta Catenin
  • gamma Catenin

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Desmoplakins
  • Trans-Activators
  • beta Catenin
  • gamma Catenin