Molecular plasticity of beta-catenin: new insights from single-molecule measurements and MD simulation.

ABSTRACT: The multifunctional protein, beta-catenin, has essential roles in cell adhesion and, through the Wnt signaling pathway, in controlling cell differentiation, development, and generation of cancer. Could distinct molecular forms of beta-catenin underlie these two functions? Our single-molecule force spectroscopy of armadillo beta-catenin, with molecular dynamics (MD) simulation, suggests a model in which the cell generates various forms of beta-catenin, in equilibrium. We find beta-catenin and the transcriptional factor Tcf4 form two complexes with different affinities. Specific cellular response is achieved by the ligand binding to a particular matching preexisting conformer. Our MD simulation indicates that complexes derive from two conformers of the core region of the protein, whose preex

SUBMITTER: Ritco-Vonsovici M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2206973 | biostudies-literature | 2007 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature