Alpha T-catenin (CTNNA3): A gene in the hand is worth two in the nest

Abstract

Alpha-T-Catenin (CTNNA3) is a key protein of the adherens junctional complex in epithelial cells playing a crucial role in cellular adherence. What makes this gene particularly interesting is that it is located within a common fragile site, is epigenetically regulated, is transcribed through multiple promoters, and generates a variety of alternate transcripts. Finally, CTNNA3 has a nested gene (LRTMM3) embedded within its genomic context transcribed in the opposite direction. Apart from the complexity of its regulation, alterations in both CTNNA3 and LRTMM3 are implicated in human disease. © Springer Basel AG 2011.