Cadherins are a family of Ca2+-dependent intercellular adhesion molecules. They play an important role in cell-cell interaction, histogenesis and cellular transformation, and association with the actin cytoskeleton regulates their function by a complex of cytoplasmic proteins called the catenins (α, β, γ). Among the cadherin protein family, N-cadherin function is indirectly regulated by endogenous kinases and phosphatases. Tyrosine phosphorylation of β-catenin complexed with N-cadherin results in dissociation of N-cadherin from actin. However, Thus, N-cadherin is an integral adhesion molecule whose function is regulated by protein-protein interactions and phosphorylation/dephosphorylation events. For research use only, not for use in diagnostic procedures.