CTNNA2

CTNNA2 (Catenin Alpha 2) is a Protein Coding gene. Diseases associated with CTNNA2 include Mixed Germ Cell Cancer. Among its related pathways are Ectoderm Differentiation and PAK Pathway. Gene Ontology (GO) annotations related to this gene include structural molecule activity and structural constituent of cytoskeleton. An important paralog of this gene is CTNNA1.

Full Name

Catenin Alpha 2

Function

May function as a linker between cadherin adhesion receptors and the cytoskeleton to regulate cell-cell adhesion and differentiation in the nervous system (By similarity).

Required for proper regulation of cortical neuronal migration and neurite growth (PubMed:30013181).

It acts as negative regulator of Arp2/3 complex activity and Arp2/3-mediated actin polymerization (PubMed:30013181).

It thereby suppresses excessive actin branching which would impair neurite growth and stability (PubMed:30013181).

Regulates morphological plasticity of synapses and cerebellar and hippocampal lamination during development. Functions in the control of startle modulation (By similarity).

Biological Process

Axonogenesis Source: UniProtKB
Brain morphogenesis Source: UniProtKB
Cell-cell adhesion Source: UniProtKB
Cell migration Source: GO_Central
Dendrite morphogenesis Source: UniProtKB
Negative regulation of Arp2/3 complex-mediated actin nucleation Source: UniProtKB
Positive regulation of muscle cell differentiation Source: Reactome
Prepulse inhibition Source: UniProtKB
Radial glia guided migration of Purkinje cell Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of neuron migration Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of neuron projection development Source: UniProtKB
Regulation of synapse structural plasticity Source: UniProtKB

Cellular Location

Nucleus; Cell membrane; Cytoskeleton; Cytoplasm; Adherens junction; Axon

Involvement in disease

Cortical dysplasia, complex, with other brain malformations 9 (CDCBM9):
An autosomal recessive disorder characterized by neurodevelopmental delay apparent from early infancy, acquired microcephaly, hypotonic cerebral palsy, inability to ambulate or speak, and intractable seizures. Brain imaging shows pachygyria with severe cortical gray matter thickening, paucity of gyri without an obvious posterior-anterior gradient or focal dysplasias, hypogenesis of the corpus callosum, and cerebellar hypoplasia.