Associates with the cytoplasmic domain of a variety of cadherins. The association of catenins to cadherins produces a complex which is linked to the actin filament network, and which seems to be of primary importance for cadherins cell-adhesion properties. Interacts with arm/armadillo protein. Found only at cell-cell boundaries. Present at all stages, but reached the highest levels during early to mid-embryogenesis. Rapidly phosphorylated by CK2 and more slowly by CK1. Mutants die at a late embryonic stage with severe defects in head morphogenesis (PubMed:25653389). In embryos, RNAi-mediated knockdown in the hemocytes has no effect on their developmental migration during stages 10-14 of embryogenesis (PubMed:25739458). Belongs to the vinculin/alpha-catenin family.