EPITHELIAL-CELL ADHESION AND DEVELOPMENT OF CELL-SURFACE POLARITY - POSSIBLE MECHANISMS FOR MODULATION OF CADHERIN FUNCTION, ORGANIZATION AND DISTRIBUTION

Epithelial cell adhesion is principally regulated by calcium-dependent cell adhesion proteins, termed cadherins. Recent studies indicate tha t cadherin function is modulated by a class of proteins, termed cateni ns, that bind to the cytoplasmic domain of cadherin. Here we review th e evidence that catenins regulate cadherin function in cell-cell adhes ion, and discuss their role in inititiating cell surface polarity in e pithelial cells.