The catenins, α, β and γ, are proteins which bind to the highly conserved, intracellular cytoplasmic tail of E-cadherin. Together, the catenin/cadherin complexes play an important role mediating cellular adhesion. α-catenin was initially described as an E-cadherin associated protein, and since has been shown to associate with other members of the cadherin family, such as N-cadherin and P-cadherin. β-catenin associates with the cytoplasmic portion of E-cadherin, which is necessary for the function of E-cadherin as an adhesion molecule. β-catenin has also been found in complexes with the tumor suppressor protein APC. γ-catenin, also known as plakoglobin, binds with α-catenin and N-cadherin. It has been shown that the transmembrane phosphatase PTP? associates with catenin/cadherin complexes and may regulate complex signaling.
