Cadherin T, Recombinant, Human (Truncated Cadherin, Cadherin 13, Heart-Cadherin)

Cadherin­13, also known as T­cadherin and H­cadherin, is a 105 kDa member of the cadherin family of transmembrane glycoproteins that mediate calcium­dependent intercellular adhesion (1). However, Cadherin­13 is an atypical member, lacking transmembrane and cytosolic domains and containing a GPI moiety that anchors Cadherin­13 to the plasma membrane (1 ­ 2). Human Cadherin­13 is synthesized as a 713 amino acid (aa) precursor that contains a 22 aa signal sequence, a 116 aa propeptide, a 555 aa mature chain, and a second propeptide of 20 aa that is removed in the mature form to reveal the GPI anchor (SwissProt # P55290). The mature form contains five cadherin domains and eight potential sites for N­linked glycosylation. Mature human Cadherin­13 shares 96% aa identity with mature mouse Cadherin­13. Cadherin­13 is expressed in various tissues. It is highly expressed in the heart, and in the CNS, Cadherin­13 is expressed in the cerebral cortex, medulla, hippocampus, amygdala, thalamus, and substantia nigra (2). There are higher levels of Cadherin­13 in the adult brain than in developing brain (2). Cadherin­13 is also expressed in skin in the basal layer of the epidermis, lung, liver, kidney, and blood vessels (2). The structural characteristics of Cadherin­13 predict that it is unlikely to function as a true adhesion molecule in vivo (2). It is suggested that it may act rather as a signaling receptor participating in recognition of the environment and regulation of cell motility, proliferation, and phenotype (2). Cellular expression levels of Cadherin­13 in various tissues often correlate, negatively or positively, with the proliferative potential of the cells (2). Cadherin­13 may also act as a suppressor of tumor cell growth (2). This potential role for Cadherin­13 was emphasized by localization of Cadherin­13 gene to chromosome 16q24, a region exhibiting loss of heterozygosity in many solid tumors (2). Allelic loss of chromosome bands 16q24.1­q24.2 and reduced expression of Cadherin­13, as well as hypermethylation of the remaining allele have been detected in a considerable number of human cancers (2). N­terminal Sequence: Glu23 Analysis Predicted Molecular: 74.5kD Mass, SDS­PAGE: 100-115kD, reducing conditions, Activity: Measured by the ability of the immobilized protein to inhibit the adhesion of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). When 5x10e4 cells/well are added to rhCadherin-13 coated plates, cell adhesion is inhibited in a dose dependent manner after 2 hours at 37 °C. The ED50 for this effect is typically 2-8ug/ml. Endotoxin Level: <1.0 EU per 1ug of the protein by the LAL method. Stability & Storage: Use a manual defrost freezer and avoid repeated freeze­thaw cycles., 12 months from date of receipt, ­20 to ­70°C as supplied. 1 month, 2 to 8°C under sterile conditions after reconstitution. 3 months, ­20 to ­70°C under sterile conditions after reconstitution.