Structural and thermodynamic characterization of the self-adhesive properties of human P-cadherin

Abstract

Human P-cadherin is a promising therapeutic target against cancer. However, its characterization at the molecular level is still lacking. We report that human P-cadherin associated irreversibly in a distinct dimer configuration. Unexpectedly, the divalent cation Ca²⁺ was not necessary for dimerization, although it greatly stabilized the protein-protein complex.