Accumulation of β-catenin and subsequent stimulation of β-catenin-T cell-factor
(Tcf)/lymphoid-enhancerfactor (Lef) transcriptional activity causes dedifferentiation of
articular chondrocytes, which is characterized by decreased type II collagen expression and
initiation of type I collagen expression. This study examined the mechanisms of α-catenin
degradation, the role of α-catenin in β-catenin signaling, and the physiological significance
of α-catenin regulation of β-catenin signaling in articular chondrocytes. We found that both α …