valgud, mis kuuluvad plasmamembraani läbivate, dimeersete adhesioonimolekulide suurde perekonda, mis osalevad külgliiduste ja desmosoomide moodustumises, Cadherins (named for "calcium-dependent adhesion") are a class of type-1 transmembrane proteins. They play important roles in cell adhesion, forming adherens junctions to bind cells within tissues together. They are dependent on calcium (Ca2+) ions to function, hence their name.