N-cadherin is a 140kDa protein belonging to a family of transmembrane molecules that mediate calcium-dependent intercellular adhesion. Cadherins are involved in controlling morphogenetic movements during development and regulate cell surface adhesion through homotypic adhesion with the same cadherin species. The function of N-cadherin is dependent on its association with the actin-cytoskeleton and is mediated through interactions between the C-terminal region of N-cadherin and the cytoplasmic catenin proteins. The stability of this association is regulated by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of β-catenin. This gene is a classical cadherin from the cadherin superfamily. The encoded protein is a calcium dependent cell-cell adhesion glycoprotein comprised of five extracellular cadherin repeats, a transmembrane region and a highly conserved cytoplasmic tail. The protein functions during 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.
