A mathematical model of alpha-catenin dimerization at adherens junctions in polarized epithelial cells.

Journal of Theoretical Biology
Adriana T Dawes

Abstract

The protein alpha-catenin is found as a monomer or homodimer. As a monomer, alpha-catenin can bind to beta-catenin, which localizes to the plasma membrane at the site of adherens junctions (AJs) in polarized epithelial cells. As a dimer, alpha-catenin can bind to actin filaments, affecting the organization of the actin cytoskeleton. At usual cytoplasmic concentrations, alpha-catenin is found predominantly in monomeric form. It is currently thought that alpha-catenin cannot simultaneously bind beta-catenin and homodimerize, and that the dynamics of binding and unbinding from beta-catenin, possibly coupled with lower diffusion near an AJ, are sufficient to locally accumulate alpha-catenin monomers and homodimers. Using a mathematical model of alpha-catenin dynamics, I show that alpha-catenin must transiently homodimerize while bound to beta-catenin in order for homodimers to form, even in the presence of a spatial diffusion gradient.

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Citations

Feb 13, 2010·Annual Review of Physiology·Yulia Komarova, Asrar B Malik
Jun 7, 2013·Cell Adhesion & Migration·Sylvie DufourJean Paul Thiery
Apr 17, 2015·Journal of the Royal Society, Interface·Marc Sturrock, Adriana T Dawes

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