Cadherin E

Cadherin E is an epithelial cell adhesion molecule and plays an important role in the formation of cell-cell contacts in epithelia irrespective of their origin as ecto-, meso- or endodermal tissue. This early adhesion event between epithelial cells is a prerequisite for the assembly of all elements of the junctional complex and is as such important in maintaining epithelial integrity. Over 90 % of malignancies are carcinomas. One of the prerequisites for the release of carcinoma cells from the primary site might be a defect in intercellular adhesion mediated by the absence of cadherin E expression. Therefore, the expression of cadherin E might be an important parameter for the determination of the invasive potential of epithelial neoplasms, and for the transition of a benign to a malignant neoplasm. The antibody detects cadherin E in human tissues and cells.

Family Literatur:
R.Moll et al., Am. J. Pathol., 143, 1731 (1993)