Cadherins

**Definition:** Calcium-dependent cell adhesion proteins. They are important in the formation of ADHERENS JUNCTIONS between cells. Cadherins are classified by their distinct immunological and tissue specificities, either by letters (E- for epithelial, N- for neural, and P- for placental cadherins) or by numbers (cadherin-12 or N-cadherin 2 for brain-cadherin). Cadherins promote cell adhesion via a homophilic mechanism as in the construction of tissues and of the whole animal body.

**Tree numbers:** - D09.400.430.890.200.200 - D12.776.395.550.200.200 - D12.776.543.550.200.200 - D23.050.301.350.200

**Synonyms:** - Cadherin