T-cadherin

T-cadherin, also known as cadherin 13, H-cadherin (heart), and CDH13, is a unique member of the cadherin protein family. Unlike typical cadherins that span across the cell membrane with distinct transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains, T-cadherin lacks these features and is instead anchored to the cell's plasma membrane through a GPI anchor.

Classical cadherins are central to cell–cell adhesion, critical for shaping tissues during embryonic development and maintaining tissue integrity in adults. They act as receptors that mediate cellular responses by transmitting signals from the extracellular environment to the intracellular machinery, thereby activating key pathways like the beta-catenin/Wnt pathway and influencing cytoskeletal reorganization. In contrast, T-cadherin is not involved in forming cell-cell junctions but participates in signaling pathways that modulate cellular responses to low-density lipoprotein (LDL) particles, affecting calcium signaling, cell migration, and phenotypic alterations. The identification of specific signaling partners and understanding the pathways influenced by T-cadherin are active areas of research, highlighting its potential role in vascular biology and disease pathologies.