M-Cadherin (CDH15) Antibody – Rabbit Polyclonal

This gene is a member of the cadherin superfamily of genes, encoding calcium-dependent intercellular adhesion glycoproteins. Cadherins consist of an extracellular domain containing 5 cadherin domains, a transmembrane region, and a conserved cytoplasmic domain. Transcripts from this particular cadherin are expressed in myoblasts and upregulated in myotubule-forming cells. The protein is thought to be essential for the control of morphogenetic processes, specifically myogenesis, and may provide a trigger for terminal muscle cell differentiation. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

CDH15: Cadherins are calcium-dependent cell adhesion proteins. They preferentially interact with themselves in a homophilic manner in connecting cells; cadherins may thus contribute to the sorting of heterogeneous cell types. M-cadherin is part of the myogenic program and may provide a trigger for terminal muscle differentiation. A chromosomal aberration involving CDH15 and KIRREL3 is found in a patient with severe mental retardation and dysmorphic facial features. Translocation t(11;16)(q24.2;q24). Defects in CDH15 are the cause of mental retardation autosomal dominant type 3 (MRD3). Mental retardation is characterized by significantly sub-average general intellectual functioning associated with impairments in adaptative behavior and manifested during the developmental period.

Protein type: Membrane protein, integral

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 16q24.3

Cellular Component: plasma membrane; integral to membrane; caveola; neuromuscular junction

Molecular Function: calcium ion binding

Biological Process: intercellular junction assembly and maintenance; muscle cell differentiation; positive regulation of muscle cell differentiation; homophilic cell adhesion; cell adhesion

Disease: Mental Retardation, Autosomal Dominant 3