CTNNA3
CTNNA3 (catenin alpha 3) is an alpha catenin of the vinculin/alpha-catenin family that is thought to contribute to stretch-resistant cell-cell adhesion. It is also known as VR22 and MGC26194, and the gene is linked to a familial form of arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia. Browse Assay Genie's current range of CTNNA3 research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
CTNNA3 is a member of the vinculin/alpha-catenin family. UniProt annotates it as a protein that may be involved in the formation of stretch-resistant cell-cell adhesion complexes, and the NCBI Gene summary describes a role in cell-cell adhesion in muscle cells. In cells, the protein is found in the cytoplasm, associated with the cytoskeleton, and at cell junctions, specifically desmosomes.
The CTNNA3 gene encodes catenin alpha-3, which is classed by HGNC in the alpha catenins group. The same group also lists CTNNA3 among the microRNA protein coding host genes. Alternative splicing of the gene results in multiple transcript variants. Researchers studying the protein will often compare it with the better-known family member CTNNA1, which also belongs to the alpha catenin group.
The gene was previously named catenin (cadherin-associated protein), alpha 3, and has also been referred to as VR22 and MGC26194. Mutations in the CTNNA3 gene are associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, familial 13, which makes the protein a point of interest for work on the structure of cell junctions in muscle tissue. A mouse ortholog, Ctnna3, is recorded, allowing comparative studies in that species.
CTNNA3 may contribute to stretch-resistant cell-cell adhesion complexes, making it relevant to studies of how adhesion structures are built and maintained.
The protein localises to the cytoskeleton and to desmosomes, so it is useful for examining junctional architecture.
CTNNA3 has a described role in cell-cell adhesion in muscle cells, which supports work on muscle tissue organisation.
Mutations in the CTNNA3 gene are associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, familial 13, linking it to inherited heart disease research.
CTNNA3 belongs to the vinculin/alpha-catenin family. UniProt states it may be involved in forming stretch-resistant cell-cell adhesion complexes, and NCBI Gene describes a role in cell-cell adhesion in muscle cells. It is found in the cytoplasm, at the cytoskeleton and in desmosomes.
CTNNA3 stands for catenin alpha 3; the UniProt name is catenin alpha-3. Aliases include VR22 and MGC26194, and the earlier name was catenin (cadherin-associated protein), alpha 3. Alternative splicing produces multiple transcript variants, so more than one transcript is annotated.
Mutations in the CTNNA3 gene are associated with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, familial 13. The mouse ortholog is Ctnna3. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity before planning cross-species work.
Other alpha catenins and adhesion-related targets with products at Assay Genie.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt Q9UI47; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.