Polyclonal Antibody to E Cadherin

E-cadherin is a calcium-regulated adhesion molecule expressed in most normal epithelial tissues. It is localized on the surfaces of epithelial cells in regions of cell-cell contact known as adherens junctions. The E-cadherin gene is located on chromosome 16q22.1. E-cadherin is associated with gland formation, stratification, and epithelial polarization. Besides its role in normal cells, this highly conserved gene can play a major role in malignant cell transformation, and especially in tumor development and progression. Selective loss of E-cadherin can cause dedifferentiation and invasiveness in human carcinomas, leading E-cadherin to be classified as a tumor suppressor.