Protocadherin Gamma A5 (PCDHgA5)

Cadherins are calcium-dependent cell-cell adhesion molecules, and protocadherins constitute a subfamily of nonclassic cadherins. PCDHGA5 is 1 of 22 tandemly arranged genes within the PCDHG gene cluster on chromosome 5q31. The 22 PCDHG genes function as 'variable' exons that are individually spliced to a downstream constant region to form distinct PCDHG transcripts. The variable PCDHG exons encode the extracellular and transmembrane domains of the protocadherin protein, and the common region encodes the intracellular domain. For further information on the PCDHG genes.Matsuyoshi et al. (1997) obtained a cDNA fragment encoding part of PCDHGA5, which they termed ME3. RT-PCR analysis detected expression of ME3 in 1 of 2 melanoma cell lines but not in normal melanocytes.