A novel GPI-anchored glycoprotein shows properties of a coohterminus truncated cadherin involved in cell-cell contacts of cultured human epithelial cells.

We report the characterization of a cell-cell adhesion molecule identified by mAbBD31 on human epithelioid cells. This glycoprotein shows cadherin features but appears to be truncated being devoid of the transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. It is directly membrane-anchored by a GPI moiety. We propose to call this molecule HT-cadherin.