CADHERINS, CATENINS AND APC PROTEIN - INTERPLAY BETWEEN CYTOSKELETAL COMPLEXES AND SIGNALING PATHWAYS

Cadherins play important roles in cell-cell adhesion during tissue dif ferentiation. Cadherins are linked to the actin cytoskeleton by cateni ns (beta-catenin/armadillo, plakoglobin, and alpha-catenin). Recent re sults show that beta-catenin also binds to another cytoskeletal comple x containing the adenomatous polyposis coli protein and microtubules, and interacts with several signaling pathways that include tyrosine ki nases and phosphatases and Wnt/Wingless. Interplay between these cytos keletal complexes and signaling pathways may regulate morphogenesis.