hCaDs
hCaDs, or human Cadherins, are a large family of transmembrane proteins that play a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion. They are essential for the formation and maintenance of multicellular tissues in animals. Cadherins function by binding to other cadherins on adjacent cells, creating a physical link that holds cells together. This adhesion is calcium-dependent, hence the name "cadherin."
The cadherin superfamily is diverse, with over 100 different types identified in vertebrates. These proteins are
Different types of cadherins exhibit distinct tissue-specific expression patterns and mediate various adhesion functions. For example,