cadherin-26 Activators

Cadherin-26, also known as CDH26, is a member of the cadherin superfamily, which is a group of proteins characterized by their crucial role in mediating calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion. Cadherins are transmembrane proteins that contribute significantly to the maintenance of tissue structure and the regulation of cell signaling pathways involved in cellular processes like proliferation, differentiation, and migration.

The structure of cadherin-26, like other classic cadherins, typically comprises extracellular cadherin repeats, which are responsible for homophilic binding (binding to the same type of cadherin on adjacent cells), a single-pass transmembrane domain, and a conserved cytoplasmic tail that interacts with catenins. These catenins, in turn, link the cadherin molecules to the actin cytoskeleton, providing structural integrity and transducing signals that can influence a wide range of cellular activities.Cadherin-26 is distinguished by its tissue-specific expression patterns and its potential role in unique cellular contexts. While the precise functions of CDH26 remain less well-characterized compared to classical cadherins like E-cadherin (CDH1) or N-cadherin (CDH2), it is hypothesized to play a role in the specialized cell adhesion dynamics of the tissues where it is expressed. Through mediating cell-cell adhesion, cadherin-26 can contribute to the development and maintenance of tissue architecture and may participate in signaling pathways that regulate cellular behavior in the specific tissue context.