Abstract

β-Catenin and plakoglobin are intracellular proteins that participate in cell-cell adhesion, probably through interaction with the cadherin family of transmembrane adhesion proteins. They are also homologous to the segment polarity gene, armadillo, from Drosophila. I have cloned and sequenced armadillo/β-catenin/plakoglobin homologues from two other invertebrates, Urechis caupo and Tripneustes gratilla, and shown that the mRNA is present in oocytes, eggs and early embryos. In Urechis, the mRNA is particularly abundant in oocytes, but is not translated until after fertilization. These results provide further indications that cell adhesion proteins play a key role during embryogenesis.

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.