CDH2

Cadherin-2 (CDH2), also known as neural cadherin (NCAD) is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CDH2 is_associated_with::gene. CDH2 has also been designated as CD325 (is_associated_with::cluster of differentiation 325).

Function
Cadherin 2 a classical is_associated_with::cadherin from the cadherin superfamily. Cadherin 2 is a calcium dependent cell-cell adhesion is_associated_with::glycoprotein comprising five extracellular cadherin repeats, a transmembrane region and a highly conserved cytoplasmic tail. The protein functions during is_associated_with::gastrulation and is required for establishment of left-right asymmetry. At certain central nervous system synapses, presynaptic to postsynaptic adhesion is mediated at least in part by this gene product.

N-cadherins interact with catenins to play an important role in learning and memory (For full article see is_associated_with::Cadherin-catenin complex in learning and memory).

Role in cancer metastasis
N-Cadherin is commonly found in cancer cells and provides a mechanism for transendothelial migration. When a cancer cell adheres to the endothelial cells of a blood vessel it up-regulates the src kinase pathway, which phosphorylates is_associated_with::beta-catenins attached to both N-cadherin (this protein) and E-cadherins. This causes the intercellular connection between two adjacent endothelial cells to fail and allows the cancer cell to slip through.

Interactions
CDH2 has been shown to interact with:


 * is_associated_with::Beta-catenin,
 * is_associated_with::CDH11,
 * type IIb RPTPs including PTPmu (is_associated_with::CTNND1,
 * CTNNA1,
 * is_associated_with::LRRC7,
 * is_associated_with::PTPRM)
 * PTPrho (is_associated_with::PTPRT), and
 * is_associated_with::Plakoglobin.