Alpha-catenin Catenins associate with the cytoplasmic domains of a variety of cadherins [<cite idref="PUB00004758"/>] producing a complex that links to the actin filament network. Thisassociation appears to be indispensable for tight cell-cell adhesion. Dysfunction ofthe complex causes dissociation of cancer cells from primary tumours, possiblycontributing to cancer invasion and metastasis [<cite idref="PUB00000225"/>].<p>Three different forms of catenin (designated alpha, beta and gamma) comprise thecytoplasmic domain of the cadherin cell-cell adhesion complex [<cite idref="PUB00000237"/>].Alpha-catenins are evolutionarily related to vinculin.</p>