Cadherin
Cadherin
Cadherin (/kæˈhɪərɪn/), derived from "calcium-dependent adhesion", is a type of protein that plays crucial roles in cell adhesion, forming adherens junctions to bind cells within tissues together.
Etymology
The term "Cadherin" is derived from "Calcium-dependent adhesion". The name reflects the protein's dependence on calcium ions to function correctly.
Function
Cadherins are dependent on calcium (Ca2+) ions to function, hence the name. They play a crucial role in cell adhesion, ensuring that cells within tissues are bound together. They are produced by a variety of cells and are located on the cell surface. In addition to their function in cell adhesion, they also play a role in maintaining tissue structure and function.
Types
There are several types of cadherins, which are classified based on their structure and the type of cells that produce them. These include E-cadherin (epithelial), N-cadherin (neural), P-cadherin (placental), R-cadherin (retinal), and VE-cadherin (vascular endothelial).
Related Terms
- Adherens junctions: These are cell structures that use cadherins to help cells adhere to each other.
- Calcium: An essential mineral that is necessary for the function of cadherins.
- Protein: A type of molecule that cadherins belong to.
- Cell adhesion: The process by which cells interact and attach to neighbouring cells through specialised molecules on the cell surface. It is one of the fundamental processes that cadherins are involved in.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Cadherin
- Wikipedia's article - Cadherin
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