Cadherins

Cadherins are a type of cell adhesion molecule that plays an important role in cell-cell recognition, adhesion and tissue morphogenesis. They are transmembrane glycoproteins found in cells of both animals and plants, which mediate calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion. Cadherins are important for maintaining the integrity of tissues, and regulate the cell-cell interactions in a range of vital processes like embryonic development, tissue regeneration and tumorigenesis. Cadherins are also important mediators of cell-cell signalling, and they are involved in a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic signals that guide cell fate and behavior.