and other additional factors are correlated to the formation and growth of some cancers and how a tumor continues to grow. The E-cadherins, known as the epithelial cadherins, are on the surface of one cell and can bind with those of the same kind on another to form bridges. The loss of the cell adhesion molecules, E cadherins, is causally involved in the formation of epithelial types of cancers such as carcinomas. The changes in any types of cadherin expression may not only control tumor cell adhesion but also may affect signal transduction leading to the cancer cells growing uncontrollably. In epithelial cell cancers, disrupted cell to cell adhesion might lead to the development of secondary malignant growths; they are distant from the primary site of cancer and can result from the abnormalities in the expression of E-cadherins or its associated catenins. CAMs such as the cadherin glycoproteins that normally function as the glue and holds cells together act as important mediators of cell to cell interactions. E-cadherins, on the surface of all epithelial cells, are linked to the actin cytoskeleton through interactions with catenins in the cytoplasm. Thus, anchored to the cytoskeleton, E-cadherins on the surface of one cell can bind with those on another to form bridges. In epithelial cell cancers, disrupted cell-cell adhesion that might lead to metastases can result from abnormalities in the expression of E-cadherin or its associated catenins. Correlation to endometrium and embryogenesis This family of glycoproteins is responsible for calcium-dependent mechanism of intracellular adhesion. E-cadherins are crucial in embryogenesis during several processes, including gastrulation, neurulation, and organogenesis. Furthermore, suppression of E-cadherins impairs intracellular adhesion. The levels of these molecules increase during the luteal phase while their expression is regulated by progesterone with endometrial calcitonin. Types There are said to be over 100 different types of cadherins found in vertebrates, which can be classified into four groups: classical, desmosomal, protocadherins, and unconventional. These large amount of diversities are accomplished by having multiple cadherin encoding genes combined with alternative RNA splicing mechanisms. Invertebrates contain fewer than 20 types of cadherins. Classical Different members of the cadherin family are found in different locations. CDH1 – E-cadherin (epithelial): E-cadherins are found in epithelial tissue; not to be confused with the APC/C activator protein CDH1. CDH2 – N-cadherin (neural): N-cadherins are found in neurons CDH12 – cadherin 12, type 2 (N-cadherin 2) CDH3 – P-cadherin (placental): P-cadherins are