NH2-terminal Deletion of β-Catenin Results in Stable Colocalization of Mutant β-Catenin with Adenomatous Polyposis Coli Protein and Altered MDCK Cell Adhesion

β-Catenin is essential for the function of cadherins, a family of Ca2+-dependent cell–cell adhesion molecules, by linking them to α-catenin and the actin cytoskeleton. β-Catenin also binds to adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) protein, a cytosolic protein that is the product of a tumor suppressor gene mutated in colorectal adenomas. We have expressed mutant β-catenins in MDCK epithelial cells to gain insights into the regulation of β-catenin distribution between cadherin and APC protein complexes and the functions of these complexes. Full-length β-catenin, β-catenin mutant proteins with NH2-terminal deletions before (ΔN90) or after (ΔN131, ΔN151) the α-catenin binding site, or a mutant β-catenin with a COOH-terminal deletion (ΔC) were expressed in MDCK cells under the control of the tetracycline-repressible transactivator. All β-catenin mutant proteins form complexes and colocalize with E-cadherin at cell–cell contacts; ΔN90, but neither ΔN131 nor ΔN151, bind α-catenin. However, β-catenin mutant proteins containing NH2-terminal deletions also colocalize prominently with APC protein in clusters at the tips of plasma membrane protrusions; in contrast, full-length and COOH-terminal– deleted β-catenin poorly colocalize with APC protein. NH2-terminal deletions result in increased stability of β-catenin bound to APC protein and E-cadherin, compared with full-length β-catenin. At low density, MDCK cells expressing NH2-terminal–deleted β-catenin mutants are dispersed, more fibroblastic in morphology, and less efficient in forming colonies than parental MDCK cells. These results show that the NH2 terminus, but not the COOH terminus of β-catenin, regulates the dynamics of β-catenin binding to APC protein and E-cadherin. Changes in β-catenin binding to cadherin or APC protein, and the ensuing effects on cell morphology and adhesion, are independent of β-catenin binding to α-catenin. These results demonstrate that regulation of β-catenin binding to E-cadherin and APC protein is important in controlling epithelial cell adhesion.