What Are the Implications of Homophilic Binding in Disease?
Dysregulation of homophilic binding can lead to several pathological conditions. For instance, the loss of cadherin function is associated with cancer progression and metastasis. Tumor cells often downregulate cadherin expression to detach from the primary tumor mass and invade surrounding tissues. Additionally, mutations in genes encoding CAMs can result in congenital disorders affecting tissue integrity and function.