Beta-catenin binding domain of Axin in complex with beta-catenin
[CTNB1_HUMAN] Defects in CTNNB1 are associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) [MIM:114500]. Note=Activating mutations in CTNNB1 have oncogenic activity resulting in tumor development. Somatic mutations are found in various tumor types, including colon cancers, ovarian and prostate carcinomas, hepatoblastoma (HB), hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HBs are malignant embryonal tumors mainly affecting young children in the first three years of life. Defects in CTNNB1 are a cause of pilomatrixoma (PTR) [MIM:132600]; a common benign skin tumor.   Defects in CTNNB1 are a cause of medulloblastoma (MDB) [MIM:155255]. MDB is a malignant, invasive embryonal tumor of the cerebellum with a preferential manifestation in children.  Defects in CTNNB1 are a cause of susceptibility to ovarian cancer (OC) [MIM:167000]. Ovarian cancer common malignancy originating from ovarian tissue. Although many histologic types of ovarian neoplasms have been described, epithelial ovarian carcinoma is the most common form. Ovarian cancers are often asymptomatic and the recognized signs and symptoms, even of late-stage disease, are vague. Consequently, most patients are diagnosed with advanced disease. Note=A chromosomal aberration involving CTNNB1 is found in salivary gland pleiomorphic adenomas, the most common benign epithelial tumors of the salivary gland. Translocation t(3;8)(p21;q12) with PLAG1. Defects in CTNNB1 may be a cause of mesothelioma malignant (MESOM) [MIM:156240]. An aggressive neoplasm of the serosal lining of the chest. It appears as broad sheets of cells, with some regions containing spindle-shaped, sarcoma-like cells and other regions showing adenomatous patterns. Pleural mesotheliomas have been linked to exposure to asbestos.
[CTNB1_HUMAN] Key downstream component of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. In the absence of Wnt, forms a complex with AXIN1, AXIN2, APC, CSNK1A1 and GSK3B that promotes phosphorylation on N-terminal Ser and Thr residues and ubiquitination of CTNNB1 via BTRC and its subsequent degradation by the proteasome. In the presence of Wnt ligand, CTNNB1 is not ubiquitinated and accumulates in the nucleus, where it acts as a coactivator for transcription factors of the TCF/LEF family, leading to activate Wnt responsive genes. Involved in the regulation of cell adhesion. Acts as a negative regulator of centrosome cohesion. Involved in the CDK2/PTPN6/CTNNB1/CEACAM1 pathway of insulin internalization. Blocks anoikis of malignant kidney and intestinal epithelial cells and promotes their anchorage-independent growth by down-regulating DAPK2.    [AXIN1_XENLA] Controls dorsoventral patterning via two opposing effects; down-regulates beta-catenin to inhibit the Wnt signaling pathway and ventralize embryos, but also dorsalizes embryos by activating a Wnt-independent JNK signaling pathway.
Publication Abstract from PubMed
The "beta-catenin destruction complex" is central to canonical Wnt/beta-catenin signaling. The scaffolding protein Axin and the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli protein (APC) are critical components of this complex, required for rapid beta-catenin turnover. We determined the crystal structure of a complex between beta-catenin and the beta-catenin-binding domain of Axin (Axin-CBD). The Axin-CBD forms a helix that occupies the groove formed by the third and fourth armadillo repeats of beta-catenin and thus precludes the simultaneous binding of other beta-catenin partners in this region. Our biochemical studies demonstrate that, when phosphorylated, the 20-amino acid repeat region of APC competes with Axin for binding to beta-catenin. We propose that a key function of APC in the beta-catenin destruction complex is to remove phosphorylated beta-catenin product from the active site.
Crystal structure of a beta-catenin/axin complex suggests a mechanism for the beta-catenin destruction complex.,Xing Y, Clements WK, Kimelman D, Xu W Genes Dev. 2003 Nov 15;17(22):2753-64. Epub 2003 Nov 4. PMID:14600025
From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine.