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Lecuit et al. (2000) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 97 (18), 10008-10013.

E-cadherin, which is a calcium-dependent transmembrane protein, is involved in cell-cell adhesion. Its extracellular domain mediates homophilic interaction with E-cadherin expressed by adjacent cells. The association of E-cadherin cytoplasmic domain to cytoplasmic proteins called catenins is necessary for strong cell adhesion. E-cadherin C-terminus interacts directly with b-catenin, which in turn binds a-catenin, an actin-binding protein, thud providing a link between E-cadherin and the actin cytoskeleton. This interaction is critical for the establishment of adherens junctions and also for internalin mediated entry.