

Beta catenin
Beta catenin (CTNNB1) plays an important role during prostate cancer in humans and mice. In transgenic mice, where CTNNB1 is induced in the prostate, a cluster of cells expressing high levels of beta catenin protein (red) are observed. These cells have the unique capability to alter the adjacent microenvironment by attracting other cellular layers towards it, as stained by the basal layer protein- laminin (green) and nuclei (blue). Mouse models such as this are increasingly being used to understand how CTNNB1 plays a role during normal prostate development and at the same time help to understand how these cells communicate and interact with their surrounding environment.

Vatsal Mehta, staff, Comparative Biosciences Department

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