Molecular cloning of an alternative human αE-catenin cDNA

Abstract

The cytoplasmic protein alpha-catenin plays a crucial role in E-cadherin mediated cell-cell adhesion by binding E-cadherin to the cytoskeleton via beta- or gamma-catenin and actin. Functional loss of one of these interacting components leads to decreased cell-cell adhesion, and therefore to loss of epithelial integrity. Northern analysis revealed two distinct αE-catenin transcripts in different cell lines, whereas apparently only one protein is expressed. Because of the biological importance of this protein we sought to molecularly characterize the differences between the two observed transcripts. cDNA cloning and sequence analysis revealed the earlier described 3.4 kb αE-catenin transcript and an αE-catenin transcript of approximately 3.8 kb. This larger transcript contains a 321 bp extension in the 3'UTR sequence, which probably arises as a result of alternative polyadenylation. Considering the presence of AU-rich sequences in the extension, it may be involved in mRNA stability.