| Cadherin13, also known as Tcadherin and Hcadherin, is a 105 kDa member of the cadherin family of transmembrane glycoproteins that mediate calciumdependent intercellular adhesion (1). However, Cadherin13 is an atypical member, lacking transmembrane and cytosolic domains and containing a GPI moiety that anchors Cadherin13 to the plasma membrane (1 2). Human Cadherin13 is synthesized as a 713 amino acid (aa) precursor that contains a 22 aa signal sequence, a 116 aa propeptide, a 555 aa mature chain, and a second propeptide of 20 aa that is removed in the mature form to reveal the GPI anchor (SwissProt P55290). The mature form contains five cadherin domains and eight potential sites for Nlinked glycosylation. Mature human Cadherin13 shares 96% aa identity with mature mouse Cadherin13. Cadherin13 is expressed in various tissues. It is highly expressed in the heart, and in the CNS, Cadherin13 is expressed in the cerebral cortex, medulla, hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, and substantia nigra (2). There are higher levels of Cadherin13 in the adult brain than in developing brain (2). Cadherin13 is also expressed in skin in the basal layer of the epidermis, lung, liver, kidney, and blood vessels (2). The structural characteristics of Cadherin13 predict that it is unlikely to function as a true adhesion molecule in vivo (2). It is suggested that it may act rather as a signaling receptor participating in recognition of the environment and regulation of cell motility, proliferation, and phenotype (2). Cellular expression levels of Cadherin13 in various tissues often correlate, negatively or positively, with the proliferative potential of the cells (2). Cadherin13 may also act as a suppressor of tumor cell growth (2). This potential role for Cadherin13 was emphasized by localization of Cadherin13 gene to chromosome 16q24, a region exhibiting loss of heterozygosity in many solid tumors (2). Allelic loss of chromosome bands 16q24.1q24.2 and reduced expression of Cadherin13, as well as hypermethylation of the remaining allele have been detected in a considerable number of human cancers (2). Nterminal Sequence: Glu23 Analysis Predicted Molecular: 74.5kD Mass SDSPAGE: 100-115kD, reducing conditions Activity: Measured by the ability of the immobilized protein to inhibit the adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). When 5x10e4 cells/well are added to rhCadherin-13 coated plates, cell adhesion is inhibited in a dose dependent manner after 2 hours at 37 C. The ED50 for this effect is typically 2-8ug/ml. Endotoxin Level: 1.0 EU per 1ug of the protein by the LAL method. Stability & Storage: Use a manual defrost freezer and avoid repeated freezethaw cycles. 12 months from date of receipt, 20 to 70C as supplied. 1 month, 2 to 8C under sterile conditions after reconstitution. 3 months, 20 to 70C under sterile conditions after reconstitution. |
