Description: The 15B8 monoclonal antibody reacts with human and mouse beta-catenin, one member of a family of catenins, which are intracellular proteins that interact with cadherins to mediate cellular adhesion. More specifically, beta-catenin binds to the cytoplasmic tail of E-cadherin. In addition, this molecule is a component of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. In the absence of Wnt binding its receptor, beta-catenin is phosphorylated and resides in the cytoplasm where it is eventually targeted for degradation by ubiquitination. Upon Wnt binding, beta-catenin becomes dephosphorylated, translocates to the nucleus, and modulates gene expression in partnership with the transcription factors T cell factor (TCF) and lymphocyte enhancer binding factor (LEF). Expression of beta-catenin is found in a wide variety of non-immune and immune tissues, including thymocytes and T and B lymphocytes. The Wnt & beta-catenin signaling pathway has been demonstrated to play a crucial role in the development of T, B, and hematopoietic stem cells.