CDH3

Cadherin 3 (CDH3), also known as CDHP, HJMD, or PCAD, is a cell membrane protein that is involved in cell-cell adhesion. Cadherin 3 contains a total number of five cadherin domains in the protein sequence with one transmembrane domain and one highly conserved cytoplasmic domain with other Cadherins. Cadherins are calcium dependent cell adhesion proteins that forms homophilic conjugates (self-assembly) and participate in connecting cells. They are proposed to contribute to the sorting of heterogeneous cell types. Cadherin expression is documented to occur in some normal epithelial tissues and some carcinoma cell lines.

Defects in CDH3 is responsible for both juvenile macular dystrophy (HJMD) and ectodermal dysplasia with ectrodactyly and macular dystrophy (EEM), while it is also speculated to be involved in the loss of heterozygosity events in breast and prostate cancer. Additionally, the abnormal expression of CDH3 is also associated with cervical adenocarcinomas. It is currently under evaluation as a target for cancer immunotherapies.

Entrez Gene ID: 1001
UniProt ID: P22223