cadherinekból

Cadherins are a large family of transmembrane glycoproteins that play a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion. They are essential for maintaining tissue structure, cell sorting, and cell signaling. The term "cadherins" is derived from "calcium-dependent adhesion." Indeed, cadherin function is dependent on the presence of extracellular calcium ions. Without calcium, cadherins lose their ability to bind to each other, and cell adhesion is disrupted.

There are many different types of cadherins, each with specific roles in different tissues and developmental processes. For example, E-cadherin (epithelial cadherin) is found in epithelial cells and is vital for forming epithelial sheets. N-cadherin (neural cadherin) is predominantly expressed in neural tissues. P-cadherin (placental cadherin) is found in the placenta and epidermis.

Cadherins mediate homophilic cell adhesion, meaning that cadherin molecules on one cell bind to the same type of cadherin molecule on an adjacent cell. This binding occurs through the extracellular domains of the cadherin molecules. The intracellular domains of cadherins are linked to the actin cytoskeleton through a complex of adapter proteins, including catenins. This linkage allows cadherins to transmit mechanical forces and signals between the cell surface and the cell's internal structure.

Dysregulation of cadherin expression or function is implicated in various diseases, most notably cancer. Loss of E-cadherin expression, for instance, is a hallmark of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process associated with cancer cell invasion and metastasis. Research into cadherins continues to unravel their diverse functions in development, tissue homeostasis, and disease.