This gene encodes a classical cadherin of the cadherin superfamily. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants; at least one of which encodes a preproprotein that is proteolytically processed to generate the mature glycoprotein. This calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion protein is comprised of five extracellular cadherin repeats; a transmembrane region and a highly conserved cytoplasmic tail. Mutations in this gene are correlated with gastric; breast; colorectal; thyroid and ovarian cancer. Loss of function of this gene is thought to contribute to cancer progression by increasing proliferation; invasion; and:or metastasis. The ectodomain of this protein mediates bacterial adhesion to mammalian cells and the cytoplasmic domain is required for internalization. This gene is present in a gene cluster with other members of the cadherin family on chromosome 16. [provided by RefSeq; Nov 2015]