Calcium-dependent cell adhesion proteins. They are important in the formation of ADHERENS JUNCTIONS between cells. Cadherins are classified by their distinct immunological and tissue specificities, either by letters (E- for epithelial, N- for neural, and P- for placental cadherins) or by numbers (cadherin-12 or N-cadherin 2 for brain-cadherin). Cadherins promote cell adhesion via a homophilic mechanism as in the construction of tissues and of the whole animal body.
Also Known As:
E-Cadherin; Cadherin-1; Cadherin-2; Cadherin-3; Epithelial-Cadherins; Liver Cell Adhesion Molecule; N-Cadherin; Neural Cadherins; P-Cadherin; Placental Cadherins; Cadherin 1; Cadherin 2; Cadherin 3; Cadherin, Neural; Cadherins, Neural; Cadherins, Placental; E Cadherin; E Cadherins; Epithelial Cadherin; Epithelial Cadherins; N Cadherin; N Cadherins; P Cadherin; P Cadherins; Cadherin; E-Cadherins; Epithelial-Cadherin; Liver Cell Adhesion Molecules; N-Cadherins; Neural Cadherin; P-Cadherins; Uvomorulin