The encoded protein is a calcium-dependent cell–cell adhesion glycoprotein composed of five extracellular cadherin repeats, a transmembrane region and a highly conserved cytoplasmic tail.

Functioning as a classic cadherin by imparting to cells the ability to adhere in a homophilic manner, the protein may play an important role in endothelial cell biology through control of the cohesion and organization of the intercellular junctions.

[8] A recent study has shown that TNFAIP3 (A20, a dual-ubiquitin editing enzyme) is essential for stability and expression of VE-cadherin.

[10][11] Further studies using one of these models revealed that although vasculogenesis occurred, nascent vessels collapsed or disassembled in the absence of VE-cadherin.

[20] This article incorporates text from the United States National Library of Medicine, which is in the public domain.