Protocadherin 18 (PCDH18)

Protocadherin-18 is a protein belongs to the protocadherin gene family, a subfamily of the cadherin superfamily. This gene encodes a protein which contains 6 extracellular cadherin domains, a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic tail differing from those of the classical cadherins. Although its specific function is undetermined, the cadherin-related neuronal receptor is thought to play a role in the establishment and function of specific cell-cell connections in the brain.The deduced 1,129-amino acid PCDH18 protein has an apparent molecular mass of 125 kD. All 4 of these protocadherins contain 6 cadherin-like extracellular repeat (EC) domains. In contrast to the brain-specific expression of PCDH8, RT-PCR demonstrated expression of PCDH10, PCDH18, and PCDH19 not only in brain but also in heart, kidney, lung, and trachea.