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Cadherins in Tissue Organization

Cadherins in Tissue Organization

The cadherins are a superfamily of cell adhesion molecules comprising over 180 variants, with specific tissues expressing a particular combination of cadherin types. Cadherins generally exhibit homophilic binding; i.e., cadherins on one cell bind to cadherins of the same or closely related type on another cell. Thus, cells of the same type have a specific affinity to bind to each other and sort themselves into clusters to form tissues.
Cell Sorting During Development
Cell sorting plays an...

Structure of Cadherins

Structure of Cadherins

The cadherins were one of the first cell adhesion molecules discovered; the term “cadherins” is based on their calcium-dependent adhering properties. The first cadherins discovered on the epithelial, neuronal, and placental cells were named E-cadherin, P-cadherin, and N-cadherin, respectively. These classical cadherins share sequence and structural similarities. Other cadherins, including those involved in cell signaling, are grouped into non-classical cadherins. This diversity of cadherins...

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like Cell Adhesion Molecules

Immunoglobulin-like cell adhesion molecules or Ig-CAMs are a versatile group of cell surface glycoproteins belonging to the immunoglobulin protein superfamily. Ig-CAMs possess the characteristic immunoglobulin protein domains and other domains such as the fibronectin type III domain. The Ig domains are glycosylated to varying degrees in different Ig-CAMs.
Ig-CAMs exhibit either homophilic binding (to other Ig-CAMs) or heterophilic binding (to other ligands such as integrins). While most Ig-CAMs...

Catenins

Catenins

Catenins are characterized by multiple binding domains and dynamic structures that allow them to function as linker proteins in cell junction complexes. All catenins, except α-catenin, contain a characteristic protein sequence called the armadillo repeat and are therefore also called armadillo proteins.
Catenins in Cell Junctions
Catenins bind to cell adhesion molecules such as cadherins and link them to different cytoskeletal proteins depending on the type of cell junction. At the adherens...

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions

Integrins act both as extracellular input receivers and as intracellular processing activators. As their name suggests, integrins are entirely integrated into the membrane structure. Their hydrophobic membrane-spanning regions interact with the phospholipid bilayer's hydrophobic region. These membrane receptors provide extracellular attachment sites for effectors like hormones and growth factors. They activate intracellular response cascades when their effectors are bound and active.
Some...

Notch Signaling Pathway

Notch Signaling Pathway

The Notch signaling pathway is a major intracellular signaling pathway that is highly conserved over a broad spectrum of metazoan species. It stands unique from other intracellular signaling mechanisms in animals because notch protein itself acts as the receptor as well as the primary signaling molecule.
The Notch gene came into the limelight in 1914 after the discovery that its mutation in Drosophila melanogaster leads to a serrated (or "notched") wing margin phenotype. It was not until 1985...

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Published on: October 17, 2014

Nonclustered Protocadherins in Autism: Integrating Cell Adhesion and Activity-Dependent Signalling.

Federico Miozzo¹

¹Instituto de Neurociencias (Universidad Miguel Hernández-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas), Alicante, Spain.

The Neuroscientist : a Review Journal Bringing Neurobiology, Neurology and Psychiatry

|June 27, 2026

Summary

Nonclustered protocadherins (ncPCDHs) are key genetic factors in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Research highlights their role in synaptic development and function, offering potential therapeutic targets for ASD.

Keywords:

Pcdh10 Pcdh19 Pcdh9 activity-dependent signalling autism spectrum disorder cell adhesion neurodevelopment protocadherins

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Dynamic Clamp Methods to Investigate Impaired Neuronal Excitability Associated with Autism

Dynamic Clamp Methods to Investigate Impaired Neuronal Excitability Associated with Autism

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Last Updated: Jun 28, 2026

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Bead Aggregation Assays for the Characterization of Putative Cell Adhesion Molecules

Published on: October 17, 2014

Dynamic Clamp Methods to Investigate Impaired Neuronal Excitability Associated with Autism

Dynamic Clamp Methods to Investigate Impaired Neuronal Excitability Associated with Autism

Published on: October 17, 2025

Area of Science:

Neuroscience
Genetics
Developmental Biology

Background:

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) affects social communication and behavior, with significant heritability linked to synaptic pathway genes.
Nonclustered protocadherins (ncPCDHs) are strongly associated with ASD, playing critical roles in neuronal development and connectivity.
ncPCDHs regulate neurodevelopmental processes including cell adhesion, migration, and synaptic maturation, crucial for brain circuit organization.

Purpose of the Study:

To review recent findings on the role of ncPCDHs in ASD pathogenesis.
To highlight the involvement of activity-dependent signaling in ncPCDH-mediated synaptic refinement.
To discuss the potential of ncPCDH research for clarifying ASD mechanisms and developing therapies.

Main Methods:

Review of human genetics studies identifying ASD-associated variants in ncPCDH genes.
Analysis of rodent models investigating ncPCDH function in neurodevelopment and synaptic plasticity.
Integration of findings on ncPCDH roles in cell adhesion, signaling, and circuit formation.

Main Results:

ncPCDHs are crucial for organizing neural circuits through combinatorial cell surface codes.
Activity-dependent signaling acts as a central hub for ncPCDH-mediated synaptic refinement.
ncPCDHs are vital for maintaining the balance of excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain.

Conclusions:

ncPCDH molecular mechanisms are central to understanding ASD pathogenesis.
Dissecting ncPCDH functions provides insights into neurodevelopmental processes disrupted in ASD.
Targeting ncPCDH pathways may offer novel therapeutic strategies for autism spectrum disorder.