Cadherin-7: Proteins and Enzymes

Cadherin-7 is an approximately 115 kDa type I transmembrane protein belonging to the Cadherin superfamily of calcium-dependent adhesion molecules. Cadherin-7 interacts homotypically and heterotypically with Cadherin-14 and more weakly with Cadherins-6, -9, and -12. Cellular adhesion mediated by Cadherin-7 is weaker than that mediated by E- or N-Cadherin, although it can be strengthed by Fibronectin binding to Integrins on the same cell.

Cadherin-7 is localized to discrete regions of the developing nervous system. In chick and mouse, it is expressed in the basal plate of the neural tube, migrating cranial motoneurons, and migrating neural crest cells, lateral regions of the hindbrain and migrating Purkinje cell precursors, striatum, parahippocampal areas, and somatosensory cortex of the forebrain, neural retina, and cochlea.

Cadherin-7 interactions promote motor axon growth and inhibit axonal branching, whereas Cadherin-6B promotes branching during cranial motor neuron development. Cadherin-7 performs a similar function during limb bud development during which it participates in the migration and condensation of mesenchymal cells. Cadherin-7 is overexpressed on primary melanoma cells where it binds melanoma inhibitory activity (MIA), a secreted melanoma cell protein that promotes tumor progression.