Fig. 2. Tissue-specific expression patterns of 
T-catenin. (A) Rapid-scan RT-PCR expression analysis of human T-catenin and E-catenin mRNAs. The specific 743-bp product of the first reaction was visible in heart, testis and skeletal muscle (not shown). After nested PCR, this first product of 743 bp is still visible, whereas the nested PCR product of 630 bp is detectable in the same three samples and a few more (brain, kidney, liver, fetal liver). PCR with E-catenin-specific primers (yielding a 747-bp product) reveals expression in most tissues. PBL, peripheral blood lymphocytes. (B) RT-PCR analysis of E-catenin, T-catenin and N-catenin mRNAs in mouse organs. GAPDH mRNA analysis served as a positive control. (C) Western blot analysis of T-catenin, E-catenin and ß-catenin protein expression in various mouse organs. For detection of T-catenin, polyclonal serum #952 was applied. In brain tissue, the 104-kDa band revealed by anti-E-catenin most likely corresponds to crossreacting N2-catenin protein. (D) Antibody specificity was tested by western blot analysis of HEK-293 cells transfected with GFP-tagged -catenins: a commercial E-catenin antibody (Sigma) crossreacts with N-catenin but not with T-catenin, whereas serum #952 is highly specific for T-catenin.
