Isolation of placental cadherin cDNA: identification of a novel gene family of cell-cell adhesion molecules.

摘要: Ca2+-dependent cell--cell adhesion molecules, termed cadherins, are classified into subclasses with different tissue distributions and distinct binding specificities. We report the cloning of cDNA encoding a cadherin present in placenta which is called P-cadherin. The deduced sequence encodes polypeptide 822 amino acids characteristic features integral membrane proteins. A computer search acid homology P-cadherin against itself showed that this molecule contains internal repeats extracellular domain. Comparison primary structure epithelial (E-cadherin) there 58% their sequences. These results provide evidence for our hypothesis cadherins constitute gene family.