Cadherins are calcium-dependent cell adhesion proteins. They preferentially interact with themselves in a homophilic manner in connecting cells; cadherins may thus contribute to the sorting of heterogeneous cell types (By similarity). Expressed in brain. Highest level of expression in the retina. In embryo it is synthesized by the forebrain, anterior neural ridge, developing visual system, primitive external granular layer of the cerebellum and a subset of neural crest cells likely to develop into melanoblasts. Expressed during embryogenesis. 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.