β-catenin at the centrosome

• Published in: BioEssays 2013-09, Vol.35 (9), p.804-809
• Main Authors: Mbom, Bertrade C., Nelson, W. James, Barth, Angela
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: centrosomes; mitotic spindle; β-catenin
• ISSN: 0265-9247; 1521-1878
• DOI: 10.1002/bies.201300045

Beta‐catenin is a multifunctional protein with critical roles in cell‐cell adhesion, Wnt‐signaling and the centrosome cycle. Whereas the roles of β‐catenin in cell‐cell adhesion and Wnt‐signaling have been studied extensively, the mechanism(s) involving β‐catenin in centrosome functions are poorly understood. β‐Catenin localizes to centrosomes and promotes mitotic progression. NIMA‐related protein kinase 2 (Nek2), which stimulates centrosome separation, binds to and phosphorylates β‐catenin. β‐Catenin interacting proteins involved in Wnt signaling such as adenomatous polyposis coli, Axin, and GSK3β, are also localized at centrosomes and play roles in promoting mitotic progression. Additionally, proteins associated with cell‐cell adhesion sites, such as dynein, regulate mitotic spindle positioning. These roles of proteins at the cell cortex and Wnt signaling that involve β‐catenin indicate a cross‐talk between different sub‐cellular sites in the cell at mitosis, and that different pools of β‐catenin may co‐ordinate centrosome functions and cell cycle progression. Beta‐catenin is a multifunctional protein with critical roles in cell‐cell adhesion, Wnt‐signaling and centrosomes. Proteins at the cell cortex and in Wnt signaling that involve β‐catenin also regulate cell division, indicating cross‐talk between different β‐catenin pools in the cell at mitosis.