CDH20

CDH20, calcineurin 20, alias Cdh7/CDH7L3, is a type II classical calcineurin belonging to the calcineurin superfamily, localised in a cluster on human chromosome 18.The membrane protein encoded by CDH20 is a calcium-ion-dependent intercellular adhesion glycoprotein consisting of five extracellular calcineurin repeat sequences, a transmembrane region and a highly conserved cytoplasmic tail Composition. Unlike type I calmodulin, type II (atypical) calmodulin lacks specific HAV cell adhesion recognition sequences.CDH20 plays a role in the stabilisation of intracellular adhesion, and its disruption is considered to be a precondition for tumour cell invasion and metastasis, and is therefore regarded as a potential tumour suppressor gene.

The mechanism of action of CDH20 is mainly involved in intercellular adhesion and signalling. As a calcium-dependent adhesion molecule, CDH20 interacts with CDH20 molecules on the surface of neighbouring cells through its extracellular structural domains to form stable adhesion junctions. This adhesion is essential for the maintenance of tissue structural integrity and the regulation of cell polarity. In terms of signalling, the cytoplasmic tail of CDH20 may interact with other proteins involved in the regulation of intracellular signalling pathways, e.g. by influencing processes such as cell cycle, migration and differentiation. Biologically, the expression and function of CDH20 is particularly important for the normal development and function of the nervous system, and its aberrant expression or loss of function is associated with certain neurodevelopmental disorders. In addition, CDH20 may play an inhibitory role in tumourigenesis, and a decrease in its expression level may be associated with enhanced invasiveness and metastasis of tumours.