Catenin alpha-1 (CTNNA1)

Associates with the cytoplasmic domain of an assortment of cadherins. The institution of catenins to cadherins produces a complex which is associated with the actin filament network, and which appears to be of primary importance for cadherins cell-adhesion properties.

Can associate with both E- and N-cadherins. Originally thought to be a stable part of E-cadherin/catenin adhesion complexes and also to mediate the linkage of cadherins to the actin cytoskeleton at adherens junctions.