Crystal structure of a beta-catenin/Tcf complex.
Graham, T.A., Weaver, C., Mao, F., Kimelman, D., Xu, W.(2000) Cell 103: 885-896
- PubMed: 11136974 
- DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/s0092-8674(00)00192-6
- Primary Citation of Related Structures:  
1G3J - PubMed Abstract: 
The Wnt signaling pathway plays critical roles in embryonic development and tumorigenesis. Stimulation of the Wnt pathway results in the accumulation of a nuclear beta-catenin/Tcf complex, activating Wnt target genes. A crystal structure of beta-catenin bound to the beta-catenin binding domain of Tcf3 (Tcf3-CBD) has been determined. The Tcf3-CBD forms an elongated structure with three binding modules that runs antiparallel to beta-catenin along the positively charged groove formed by the armadillo repeats. Structure-based mutagenesis defines three sites in beta-catenin that are critical for binding the Tcf3-CBD and are differentially involved in binding APC, cadherin, and Axin. The structural and mutagenesis data reveal a potential target for molecular drug design studies.
Organizational Affiliation: 
Department of Biological Structure University of Washington 98195, Seattle, WA, USA.