E-Cadherin Mouse, Unlabeled, Clone: 34, BD

E-Cadherin is a 120kDa transmembrane glycoprotein that is localized in the adherens junctions of epithelial cells. There, it interacts with the cytoskeleton through the associated cytoplasmic catenin proteins. In addition to being a calcium-dependent adhesion molecule, E-Cadherin is a critical regulator of epithelial junction formation. Its association with catenins is necessary for cell-cell adhesion. These E-cadherin/catenin complexes associate with cortical actin bundles at both the zonula adherens and the lateral adhesion plaques. Tyrosine phosphorylation can disrupt these complexes, leading to changes in cell adhesion properties. E-Cadherin expression is often down-regulated in highly invasive, poorly differentiated carcinomas. Increased expression of E-Cadherin in these cells reduces invasiveness. Thus, loss of expression or function of E-Cadherin appears to be an important step in tumorigenic progression.

This antibody is routinely tested by western blot analysis. Other applications were tested at BD Biosciences Pharmingen during antibody development only or reported in the literature.