cadherinernas

Cadherins are a family of transmembrane proteins that play a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion. They are classified into four main subfamilies: classical cadherins, desmosomal cadherins, protocadherins, and VE-cadherin. Each subfamily has distinct functions and structural characteristics.

Classical cadherins, such as E-cadherin, are primarily involved in the formation of adherens junctions, which are critical for tissue integrity and morphogenesis. They mediate homophilic interactions between adjacent cells, facilitating cell-cell adhesion and signaling.

Desmosomal cadherins, like desmoglein and desmocollin, are essential components of desmosomes, which are specialized adherens junctions found in epithelial and cardiac tissues. These cadherins contribute to the mechanical strength and stability of these tissues.

Protocadherins are involved in the formation of adherens junctions and are also implicated in neuronal development and synaptic function. They are characterized by their ability to form heterophilic interactions with other protocadherins.

VE-cadherin, a member of the classical cadherins, is specifically involved in the formation of vascular endothelial cadherin junctions, which are crucial for the integrity of blood vessels and the prevention of vascular leakage.

Cadherins are typically composed of an extracellular domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic domain. The extracellular domain contains calcium-binding sites that mediate cell-cell adhesion, while the cytoplasmic domain contains binding sites for scaffolding proteins that link cadherins to the actin cytoskeleton and signaling molecules.

Mutations or dysregulation of cadherins have been linked to various diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. For example, loss of E-cadherin expression is often observed in cancer cells, contributing to their invasive and metastatic properties. Understanding the role of cadherins in these diseases is an active area of research, with the goal of developing targeted therapies.