This gene encodes a classical cadherin of the cadherin superfamily. The encoded preproprotein is proteolytically processed to generate the mature glycoprotein. This calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecule is comprised of five extracellular cadherin repeats, a transmembrane region and a highly conserved cytoplasmic tail. Functioning as a classical cadherin by imparting to cells the ability to adhere in a homophilic manner, this protein plays a role in endothelial adherens junction assembly and maintenance. This gene is located in a gene cluster in a region on the long arm of chromosome 16 that is involved in loss of heterozygosity events in breast and prostate cancer. [provided by RefSeq, Nov 2015],function:Cadherins are calcium dependent cell adhesion proteins.,function: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. This cadherin may play a important role in endothelial cell biology through control of the cohesion and organization of the intercellular junctions. It associates with alpha-catenin forming a link to the cytoskeleton.,similarity:Contains 5 cadherin domains.,subcellular location:Found at cell-cell boundaries and probably at cell-matrix boundaries.,tissue specificity:Endothelial tissues and brain.,