This gene encodes a member of the cadherin family of calcium-dependent glycoproteins that mediate cell adhesion and regulate many morphogenetic events during development. The encoded preproprotein is further processed to generate a mature protein. Mice lacking the encoded protein exhibit delay in mesenchyme-to-epithelial conversion and a loss of nephrons. Multiple distinct genes of the cadherin family, including this gene, are found on chromosome 15. [provided by RefSeq, Oct 2015]