Calcium-adhesion protein (cadherin) is a cell adhesion molecule that binds homophilically (two identical molecules binding to each other) in a Ca2+-dependent manner, playing a crucial role in cell recognition, migration, and tissue differentiation during embryonic development.
CDH6, also known as K-cadherin, belongs to the type II cadherin family, consisting of three distinct structural domains: an extracellular domain (ECD) containing five cadherin sequences, a transmembrane region, and an intracellular tail.
CDH6 is highly expressed in various malignant tumors (renal cell carcinoma, ovarian cancer, thyroid cancer, bile duct cancer, small cell lung cancer). Compared to cases with low or absent CDH6 protein expression, excessive CDH6 protein expression is associated with a poorer prognosis.
Hence, it can be used for research on targeting CDH6-related small molecule drugs or monoclonal antibodies and bispecific antibodies.