Rabbit polyclonal antibody to E~Cadherin (R868)

Cadherins are members of a multigene family of single chain glycoprotein receptors mediating calcium dependent cell~cell adhesion. They play an important role in the growth and development of cells via the mechanisms of control of tissue architecture and the maintenance of tissue integrity. Cadherins are expressed in a tissue specific manner and and are required for assembly of cells into solid tissue. Individual cadherin molecules are known to co~operate with each other to form a linear cell adhesion zipper. In adhesion junctions cadherins are bound to beta and gamma catenins which in turn bind to alpha catenin, an actin binding protein. Cadherins play an important part in tumor invasion and metastasis.