What is the Difference Between E and N Cadherin?

E-cadherin and N-cadherin are both classical cadherins that play crucial roles in cell adhesion and are involved in various biological processes. However, there are differences between them, mainly in their structure and function.

1. Structure: Both E-cadherin and N-cadherin have a similar overall structure, consisting of extracellular cadherin domains and an intracellular cytoplasmic tail. The cytoplasmic domain of E-cadherin has 120 kDa, while the N-cadherin cytoplasmic domain has 130 kDa.
2. Function: E-cadherin, also known as epithelial cadherin, is primarily expressed in epithelial cells and is essential for maintaining cell-cell adhesion in epithelial tissues. The loss of E-cadherin is causally involved in the formation of epithelial cancers, such as carcinomas. On the other hand, N-cadherin is expressed in various cell types, including neural cells, endothelial cells, stromal cells, and osteoblasts. It plays a crucial role in morphogenetic processes during the formation of cardiac tissue, osteogenesis, skeletal myogenesis, and maturation of the vasculature.
3. Role in Cancer: E-cadherin has been associated with a dual role in cancer, as both a tumor suppressor and a promoter of metastasis. High levels of E-cadherin have been observed in certain invasive and metastatic cancers, such as prostate, ovarian, and glioblastoma. In contrast, N-cadherin has been identified as a viable therapeutic target to inhibit cancer metastasis, as it is involved in the formation of solid tumors and is expressed in various cancer types.

In summary, E-cadherin and N-cadherin are both classical cadherins with similar structures, but they differ in their function and expression patterns. E-cadherin is primarily involved in maintaining cell-cell adhesion in epithelial tissues, while N-cadherin plays a role in various cell types and morphogenetic processes. Both cadherins are associated with cancer, but their roles in cancer progression and potential as therapeutic targets appear to be distinct.

Comparative Table: E vs N Cadherin

E-cadherin and N-cadherin are both type-I classical cadherins that play important roles in cell-cell adhesion and signaling. However, they exhibit some differences in their expression, structure, and functions. Here is a table summarizing the differences between E- and N-cadherin:

E-cadherin is found in epithelial tissues and plays a role in suppressing invasion in epithelial cells. In contrast, N-cadherin is found in neural cells and induces invasion during the epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. During EMT, E-cadherin expression is downregulated, while N-cadherin expression is upregulated. Additionally, E-cadherin binds with the shorter isoform of p120 catenin, while N-cadherin binds with the longer isoform.