N-Cadherin, also known as neuronal cadherin or CDH2, is a transmembrane protein involved in cell-cell adhesion. It belongs to the cadherin family of cell adhesion molecules, which play crucial roles in various biological processes including tissue formation, cell migration, and embryonic development.
N-Cadherin is primarily found in neural tissues, where it mediates calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion between neurons and glia cells, as well as between neurons themselves. It is abundantly expressed in the developing nervous system, where it contributes to the formation and maintenance of synaptic connections, thereby regulating neuronal circuitry and synaptic plasticity.
The extracellular domain of N-Cadherin consists of five cadherin repeats, which engage in homophilic interactions with other N-Cadherin molecules on neighboring cells. These interactions form strong adhesion complexes, known as adherens junctions, that stabilize cell-cell contacts and provide mechanical strength to tissues.
Inside the cell, N-Cadherin is associated with a network of cytoplasmic proteins, including catenins, which link the cadherin molecule to the actin cytoskeleton. This connection allows N-Cadherin to relay mechanical forces and intracellular signals, influencing various cellular processes such as cell migration, neuronal morphogenesis, and neuronal differentiation.
Dysregulation of N-Cadherin expression or function has been implicated in several pathological conditions, including neurodevelopmental disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, and various types of cancer. In cancer, increased N-Cadherin expression is associated with enhanced tumor invasion, metastasis, and resistance to therapy. Thus, N-Cadherin represents an important molecular target for therapeutic interventions.
