Catenin alpha-1 (CTNNA1) (CTNNA1)

Catenin alpha-1 (CTNNA1), commonly referred to as alpha-catenin, is a vital scaffolding protein that links the cadherin-based cell-cell adhesion complex to the actin cytoskeleton (UniProt P35221). It plays a central role in maintaining the structural integrity of epithelial tissues by stabilizing adherens junctions and mediating mechanotransduction (PubMed: 23103760). Beyond its mechanical functions, catenin alpha-1 acts as a key regulator of intracellular signaling pathways, including the Wnt/beta-catenin and Hippo pathways, thereby influencing cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis (PubMed: 25231978). In clinical oncology, it is primarily characterized as a tumor suppressor; its loss or downregulation is a hallmark of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and is frequently observed in invasive lobular breast cancer and hereditary diffuse gastric cancer (NCBI Gene: 1495). Furthermore, mutations in the CTNNA1 gene have been implicated in myeloid malignancies, such as myelodysplastic syndromes. While no direct pharmacological modulators of catenin alpha-1 are currently FDA-approved, it remains a significant target for research aimed at restoring epithelial stability and inhibiting oncogenic signaling in aggressive cancers.

Other names

Alpha-E-cateninCadherin-associated proteinCTNNA1Alpha-1 cateninAlpha-catenin

None currently established