cadherineihin

Cadherins are a large family of transmembrane proteins that play a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion. They are primarily involved in the formation and maintenance of adherens junctions, which are essential for tissue integrity and development. Cadherins are characterized by their extracellular cadherin domains, which are responsible for binding to other cadherin molecules on adjacent cells, and an intracellular domain that interacts with the actin cytoskeleton through adaptor proteins like catenins. This linkage to the cytoskeleton allows cadherins to transmit mechanical forces and signals between cells.

The specific type of cadherin expressed by a cell often dictates its adhesion properties and its association with particular tissues. For instance, E-cadherin is widely expressed in epithelial tissues, while N-cadherin is found in neuronal and cardiac tissues. Disruptions in cadherin function are implicated in various diseases, including cancer, where loss of E-cadherin can promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Their involvement in cell sorting and tissue morphogenesis makes them fundamental to embryonic development.