This gene encodes a type II classical cadherin from the cadherin superfamily, integral membrane proteins that mediate calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion. Mature cadherin proteins are composed of a large N-terminal extracellular domain, a single membrane-spanning domain, and a small, highly conserved C-terminal cytoplasmic domain. The extracellular domain consists of 5 subdomains, each containing a cadherin motif, and appears to determine the specificity of the protein's homophilic cell adhesion activity. Type II (atypical) cadherins are defined based on their lack of a HAV cell adhesion recognition sequence specific to type I cadherins. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008].
Shimoyama, Tsujimoto, Kitajima, Natori: "Identification of three human type-II classic cadherins and frequent heterophilic interactions between different subclasses of type-II classic cadherins." in: The Biochemical journal, Vol. 349, Issue Pt 1, pp. 159-67, (2001) (PubMed).
Nollet, Kools, van Roy: "Phylogenetic analysis of the cadherin superfamily allows identification of six major subfamilies besides several solitary members." in: Journal of molecular biology, Vol. 299, Issue 3, pp. 551-72, (2000) (PubMed).