Emerging Roles of the alpha-Catenin Family Member alpha-Catulin in Development, Homeostasis and Cancer Progression

alpha-catulin, together with vinculin and the alpha-catenins, belongs to the vinculin family of proteins, best known for their actin-filament binding properties and crucial roles in cell-cell and cell-substrate adhesion. In the past few years, an array of binding partners for alpha-catulin have surfaced, which has shed new light on the possible functions of this protein. Despite all this information, the molecular basis of how alpha-catulin acts in cells and controls a wide variety of signals during morphogenesis, tissue homeostasis, and cancer progression remains elusive. This review aims to highlight recent discoveries on how alpha-catulin is involved in a broad range of diverse biological processes with an emphasis on cancer progression.