The protein encoded by this gene is part of a complex of
proteins that constitute adherens junctions (AJs). AJs are
necessary for the creation and maintenance of epithelial cell
layers by regulating cell growth and adhesion between cells. The
encoded protein also anchors the actin cytoskeleton and may be
responsible for transmitting the contact inhibition signal that
causes cells to stop dividing once the epithelial sheet is
complete. Finally, this protein binds to the product of the APC
gene, which is mutated in adenomatous polyposis of the colon.
Mutations in this gene are a cause of colorectal cancer (CRC),
pilomatrixoma (PTR), medulloblastoma (MDB), and ovarian cancer.
Three transcript variants encoding the same protein have been found
for this gene.
