The cadherins are a large family of cell adhesion molecules involved in calcium-dependent recognition and adhesion events. The cadherin subfamily includes N-, P-, B-, and E- cadherins, and other members. Recent studies indicate that cancer cells have up-regulated N-cadherin in addition to loss of E-cadherin. N-cadherin cooperates with the FGF receptor, leading to overexpression of MMP-9 and cellular invasion. N-Cadherin is commonly found in cancer cells and provides a mechanism for transendothelial migration. When a cancer cell adheres to the endothelial cells of a blood vessel it up-regulates the src kinase pathway, which phosphorylates beta-catenins attached to both N-cadherin (this protein) and E-cadherins.
