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Updated: Aug 4, 2026

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules
Published on: October 17, 2014
M-cadherin and its sisters in development of striated muscle
1Institut der Anthropologie und Humangenetik der Johann Wolfgang Goethe-Universität, Siesmayerstrasse 70, D-60054 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Abstract:
Cadherins are calcium-dependent, transmembrane intercellular adhesion proteins with morphoregulatory functions in the development and maintenance of tissues. In the development of striated muscle, the expression and function of mainly M-, N-, and R-cadherin has been studied so far. While these three cadherins are expressed in skeletal muscle cells, of these only N-cadherin is expressed in cardiac muscle. In this review, M-, N-, and R-cadherin are discussed as important players in the terminal differentiation and possibly also in the commitment of skeletal muscle cells. Furthermore, reports are described which evaluate the essential role of N-cadherin in the formation of heart tissue.
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