protein_function: Cadherins are calcium-dependent cell adhesion proteins.They preferentially interact with themselves in a homophilicmanner in connecting cells; cadherins may thus contribute to thesorting of heterogeneous cell types. This cadherin may play animportant role in endothelial cell biology through control of thecohesion and organization of the intercellular junctions. Acts inconcert with KRIT1 to establish and maintain correct endothelialcell polarity and vascular lumen. These effects are mediated byrecruitment and activation of the Par polarity complex and RAP1B.Required for activation of PRKCZ and for localization ofphosphorylated PRKCZ, PARD3, TIAM1 and RAP1B to the cell junction..
Cadherin 5, type 2 or VE-cadherin also known as CD144, is encoded by the gene CDH5. It is a classical cadherin from the cadherin superfamily. This gene is mapped to mouse chromosome 8. 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. Functioning as a classic cadherin by imparting to cells the ability to adhere in a homophilic manner, the protein may play an important role in endothelial cell biology through control of the cohesion and organization of the intercellular junctions. It has found that PECAM1, VE-cadherin and VEGFR2 together are sufficient to confer responsiveness to flow in heterologous cells.
