N-Cadherin
N-Cadherin (cadherin 2, also known as CDH2, CDHN, CD325 and NCAD) is a classical type I cadherin that mediates calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion. It preferentially forms homotypic contacts and contributes to nervous system development, cartilage and bone formation, and left-right asymmetry. Browse Assay Genie's current range of N-Cadherin research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
N-Cadherin is a calcium-dependent cell adhesion protein. It preferentially mediates homotypic adhesion by dimerising with an N-Cadherin chain on a neighbouring cell, and cadherins of this kind may thereby contribute to the sorting of heterogeneous cell types. In the adult subependymal zone, N-Cadherin anchors neural stem cells to ependymocytes; cleavage by MMP24 alters this anchorage and modulates neural stem cell quiescence. It also contributes to cell-to-cell junction formation between pancreatic beta cells and neural crest stem cells, promoting process formation by the latter.
In neurons, N-Cadherin is required for proper neurite branching and for pre- and postsynaptic organisation, and it may be involved in neuronal recognition. In hippocampal neurons it may regulate dendritic spine density, and it may promote axon outgrowth and motor fibre repair through DSP-mediated recruitment to outgrowth tips. UniProt records the protein at the cell membrane, including the sarcolemma, at cell junctions (adherens junctions and desmosomes), at the cell surface and in axons.
The CDH2 gene encodes a classical cadherin of the cadherin superfamily, classed by HGNC among CD molecules and type I classical cadherins. Alternative splicing gives multiple transcript variants, at least one of which encodes a preproprotein that is proteolytically processed into the mature glycoprotein. The gene was previously named cadherin 2, type 1, N-cadherin (neuronal). Beyond neural roles, it is implicated in establishing left-right asymmetry and in the formation of cartilage and bone. Mouse and rat both carry a Cdh2 ortholog.
N-Cadherin anchors neural stem cells to ependymocytes in the subependymal zone, making it central to studies of stem cell quiescence.
The protein is required for neurite branching and pre- and postsynaptic organisation, and may regulate dendritic spine density in hippocampal neurons.
As a calcium-dependent, homotypic adhesion molecule found at adherens junctions, N-Cadherin is a core subject in cell sorting and junction research.
The gene contributes to left-right asymmetry, nervous system development, and cartilage and bone formation.
N-Cadherin is a calcium-dependent adhesion protein that preferentially binds the same protein on adjacent cells. It helps sort cell types, anchors neural stem cells to ependymocytes, and is required for neurite branching and pre- and postsynaptic organisation.
The HGNC symbol is CDH2, with aliases CDHN, CD325 and NCAD. UniProt calls the protein Cadherin-2, and the gene was formerly named cadherin 2, type 1, N-cadherin (neuronal). Alternative splicing produces multiple transcript variants.
Yes. Mouse and rat each have an ortholog named Cdh2. Human N-Cadherin is linked to nervous system, cartilage and bone development and left-right asymmetry; check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other cadherin family members involved in cell-cell adhesion, junction formation and tissue development.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P19022; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.