Protocadherin beta-13 (PCDHB13)

Protocadherin beta-13 is a calcium-dependent cell-adhesion protein encoded by the PCDHB13 gene, part of a large clustered gene family located on human chromosome 5. It is an integral plasma membrane protein with six extracellular cadherin domains, deviating structurally from other cadherins, and a singular cytoplasmic tail. Its primary biological role is thought to be the homophilic interaction among cells to establish and maintain specific neural connections, contributing to neuronal circuit formation in the brain. The biological mechanism involves both EC domain structure diversity and strict interface specificity, ensuring highly selective cell surface recognition in the nervous system. While PCDHB13 may be associated with neurodevelopmental conditions and alterations in certain cancers, it is not currently recognized as a therapeutic target, and its exact functional roles in health and disease remain under investigation

Other names

PCDHB13Protocadherin beta-13UNQ332/PRO531PCDH-beta-13PCDH-BETA13protocadherin beta-13

None known for drug-target interactions; functional mechanism relates to homophilic binding and cell-cell adhesion via extracellular cadherin domains, important for neuronal circuit assembly