Description
Cadherins are transmembrane glycoproteins of 723–747 amino acids that function as Ca2+-dependent adhesion receptors and are responsible for tight intercellular connections. Members of the cadherin family include: E- (epithelial), P- (placental), and N- (neural) cadherin, which share a common basic structure but show distinct patterns of expression in tissues. The specific binding properties of each member controls selective cell-to-cell adhesion. Regulated expression of the members during development implicates involvement in morphogenesis. Cadherins may also be involved with tumor invasion and metastasis. MAb clones originate from relevant hybridoma cells constructed by fusion between splenocytes of immunized hosts and P3-X63-Ag8 myelomas. SHE78-7 was purified from ascitic fluid.