Cadherin-8

Cadherin-8 (CDH8) is a classical cadherin expressed predominantly in the brain, with notable levels in hippocampus, cerebellum, and thalamus, and additional expression in kidney and testis. It mediates calcium-dependent homophilic adhesion and associates with catenins at adherens-type contacts, participating in neuronal differentiation and the organization of synaptic and dendritic structures. Cadherin-8 expression can be induced by transforming growth factor-beta in renal epithelial cells, connecting it to epithelial plasticity programs. Compared with widely expressed family members, cadherin-8 has a narrower tissue repertoire, and reduced CDH8 levels have been observed in certain carcinomas, suggesting a suppressive adhesive role.