Cancer results from alterations in normal cell behaviors.
Armadillo and adherens junctions are essential for maintaining epithelial organization, for cell polarity, and for normal embryonic development. Armadillo plays a separate role in transduction of the Wingless cell-cell signal. In this role, it forms a heterodimer with the dTCF DNA-binding protein, creating a bipartite transcription factor that regulates Wingless target genes. Armadillo's role in signal transduction is regulated by regulating Armadillo protein stability. In cells not receiving signal, Armadillo protein is destroyed outside of adherens junctions.