AIM: To understand the role of P120ctn in E-cadherin-mediated cell-cell adhesion and signaling as well as in hepatoma cell biological function.METHODS: We stably overexpressed p120ctn isoform 3A in BEL-7404 human hepatoma cells and studied the effect of p120ctn on β-catenin and E-cadherin binding as well as p120ctn and β-catenin subcellular localization using immunoprecipitation, West blotting and confocalmicroscopy. We also investigated the inhibitory effect of p120ctn transfection on the expression of apoptotic protein survivin survivin and cell cycle regulator cyclin D1in the cells.RERULTS: West blotting indicated that p120ctn expression increased after cells were transfected with p120ctn isoform 3A. The protein was located mainly at membrane under immunofluorescent microscope.β-catenin nuclear expression was reduced after overexpression of p120ctn isoform 3A. The p120ctn-E-cadherin binding increased after transfection of p120ctn isoform 3A. Furthermore, overexpression of p120ctn down regulated the expression of apoptotic protein survivin and cell cycle regulator cyclin D1. These effects led to reduction of cell proliferation.CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that p120ctn plays an important role in regulating the formation of E-cadherin and -catenin complex, cell apoptosis, cell cycle and cancer cell biological function.