Cadherins are calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules that mediate cell-cell binding in a homophilic manner. They
play key roles in morphogenesis and in the maintenance of orderly structures such as epithelium, and may be involved in the
metastasis and invasion of cancer. Mature cadherin proteins are composed of a large N-terminal extracellular domain, a
single membrane-spanning domain, and a small C-terminal cytoplasmic domain. The extracellular domain consists of 5
subdomains, each containing a cadherin motif, and appears to determine the specificity of the homophilic cell adhesion
activity of the cadherin; the amino acid sequence of the cytoplasmic domain is highly conserved among cadherins.
NCBI Summary:
This gene encodes a type II classical cadherin from the cadherin superfamily. The encoded membrane protein is a calcium dependent cell-cell adhesion glycoprotein comprised of five extracellular cadherin repeats, a transmembrane region and a highly conserved cytoplasmic tail. Cadherins mediate cell-cell binding in a homophilic manner, contributing to the sorting of heterogeneous cell types and the maintenance of orderly structures such as epithelium. Strong transcriptional expression of this gene has been observed in hepatocellular and renal carcinoma cell lines, suggesting a possible role in metastasis and invasion.
Machell NH, et al 2002 reported the expression and localization of P-, K-, and OB-cadherin in the
prepubertal rat ovary.
Classical and atypical cadherins mediate calcium-dependent cell adhesion and play
an important role in morphogenetic processes. In this study, RT-PCR and immunostaining techniques showed that three
cadherins are expressed throughout prepubertal ovarian development in the rat:
one classical (P-) cadherin, and two atypical (K- and OB-) cadherins. RT-PCR
analysis of isolated ovarian tissue compartments (granulosa cells and the residual
ovarian tissue) agreed with the immunostaining results. Immunostaining showed P-
and K-cadherin expression by granulosa, as well as thecal/interstitial cells, and also
in oocytes of primordial follicles. P-cadherin expression was absent in oocytes of
follicles in later stages of development compared to K-cadherin, which was found in
oocytes at all stages of folliculogenesis. P-, K-, and OB-cadherin were expressed by
the ovarian surface epithelial cells of neonatal animals but only P- and OB-cadherin
expression were maintained in these cells in 25 day-old animals. Cellular
OB-cadherin staining was absent in follicles at all stages of development and its
expression was restricted to the ovarian hilar region and portions of the stroma. In
summary, cadherin expression and distribution profiles changed during ovarian
growth and folliculogenesis suggesting a role for cadherins in organizational and
morphogenetic processes within the developing rat ovary.