N-cadherin Polyclonal antibody

Neuronal cadherin (N-cadherin), also known as cadherin-2 (CDH2), is a calcium-binding protein that mediates cell-cell adhesions of neuronal and some non-neuronal cell types. 

What is the molecular weight of N-cadherin? Is N-cadherin post-translationally modified?

The molecular weight of mature N-cadherin is 127 kDa. N-cadherin is synthesized in a precursor form that undergoes proteolytic cleavage by furin at the Golgi apparatus. Additionally, it can be phosphorylated by casein kinase II and N-glycosylated, which affects its stability (PMID: 12604612 and 19846557). 

What is the subcellular localization of N-cadherin? What is the tissue expression pattern of N-cadherin?

N-cadherin is an integral membrane protein present at the plasma membrane, forming adherens junctions. It is widely expressed in the nervous system, where it flanks the active zone of synapses and is important for synapse formation and remodeling. It is also present in the lens, skeletal, and cardiac muscles (PMID: 3857614). In the muscle, N-cadherin plays a role in myoblast differentiation, while in the heart it is required for the formation of intercalated discs. Additionally, N-cadherin is present in blood vessels, promoting angiogenesis by forming adhesive complexes between endothelial cells and pericytes (PMID: 24521477). 

What is the role of N-cadherin during the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)?

EMT is a crucial process during gastrulation that leads to the formation of mesenchymal cells. It is marked by decreased expression of E-cadherin and upregulation of N-cadherin, which promotes cell migration (PMID: 23481201). Similarly, upregulation of N-cadherin is observed in many cancer cell types and is associated with increased invasiveness and metastasis.