Cadherin-2

Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens

Cadherin-2, also known as N-cadherin (neural cadherin), is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CDH2 gene. Cadherin-2 is a member of the cadherin superfamily, which are calcium-dependent cell adhesion proteins. These proteins play crucial roles in the formation of adherens junctions to bind cells with each other.

Structure

Cadherin-2 is a classical cadherin, which means it has a large extracellular domain, a single transmembrane domain, and a small cytoplasmic domain. The extracellular domain is responsible for homophilic binding, meaning Cadherin-2 on one cell binds to Cadherin-2 on an adjacent cell. The cytoplasmic domain interacts with the cytoskeleton through catenins, linking the cell adhesion to the cell's structural framework.

Function

Cadherin-2 is essential for neural development, playing a key role in the formation of the neural tube, the precursor to the central nervous system. It is also involved in the development of the heart, muscle, and other tissues. Cadherin-2 mediates cell-cell adhesion, which is critical for maintaining the structure and function of tissues.

Clinical Significance

Mutations in the CDH2 gene have been associated with various diseases, including cancer and cardiomyopathy. In cancer, altered expression of Cadherin-2 can lead to increased tumor invasiveness and metastasis. In cardiomyopathy, mutations can disrupt the normal function of heart muscle cells, leading to heart disease.

Related Proteins

Cadherin-2 is closely related to other members of the cadherin family, such as E-cadherin (Cadherin-1) and P-cadherin (Cadherin-3). These proteins share similar structures and functions but are expressed in different tissues and have distinct roles in development and disease.

See Also

• Cadherin
• Cell adhesion
• Neural development
• Cancer
• Cardiomyopathy

References

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