Giving the right tug for migration: Cadherins in tissue movements

Dynamically regulated cell–cell adhesion is crucial for morphogenesis during embryonic development and tumor progression. The cadherins as calcium-dependent cell–cell adhesion proteins represent key molecules in these tissue movements. How cadherins serve in maintaining tissue cohesion during migration, facilitate cell–cell communication and promote signaling will be summarized in this review.

► Cadherins are involved in collective cell migration, gastrulation and invagination.
► We give an overview about the general structure of cadherins.
► We elucidate the basic principles of cadherin function in tissue movements.