This gene is a member of the cadherin superfamily , genes encoding calcium-dependent , membrane-associated glycoproteins. Mapped to a previously identified cluster of cadherin genes on chromosome 16q22.1 , the gene localizes with superfamily members CDH1 , CDH3 , CDH5 , CDH8 and CDH11. The protein consists of an extracellular domain containing 6 cadherin domains , a transmembrane region and a truncated cytoplasmic domain but lacks the prosequence and tripeptide HAV adhesion recognition sequence typical of most classical cadherins. Expression is exclusively in kidney , where the protein functions as the principal mediator of homotypic cellular recognition , playing a role in the morphogenic direction of tissue development. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding distinct isoforms have been identified. [provided by RefSeq , Mar 2011] ,
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