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. (Microbial infection) Acts as a receptor for rhinovirus C. (Microbial infection) Interacts with rhinovirus C capsid proteins. Expressed in bronchial epithelium from adults and in fetal lung tissue. Asthma susceptibility may be associated with variants affecting the gene represented in this entry in early childhood asthma with severe exacerbations occurring between 2 and 6 years of age.