Cell adhesion protein involved in the control of epithelial morphogenesis (PubMed:9012534). Together with metalloproteinase zmp-1 and hemicentin him-4, plays a role in anchor cell (AC) invasion during postembryonic vulval development (PubMed:15960981). Expressed in the anchor cell. Three calcium ions are usually bound at the interface of each cadherin domain and rigidify the connections, imparting a strong curvature to the full-length ectodomain. 2 percent of mutants have a delay in anchor cell invasion. In 7 percent of zmp-1 and cdh-3 double mutants and in 25 percent of cdh-3, him-4 and zmp-1 triple mutants, anchor cell invasion is delayed.