CDH17

Official Full Name

cadherin 17

Organism

Homo sapiens

GeneID

1015

Background

This gene is a member of the cadherin superfamily, genes encoding calcium-dependent, membrane-associated glycoproteins. The encoded protein is cadherin-like, consisting of an extracellular region, containing 7 cadherin domains, and a transmembrane region but lacking the conserved cytoplasmic domain. The protein is a component of the gastrointestinal tract and pancreatic ducts, acting as an intestinal proton-dependent peptide transporter in the first step in oral absorption of many medically important peptide-based drugs. The protein may also play a role in the morphological organization of liver and intestine. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jan 2009]

Synonyms

HPT1; CDH16; HPT-1;

Cat.No.	Product Name	Price

Cat.No.	Product Name	Price

Cat.No.	Product Name	Price

Cat.No.	Product Name	Price

Detailed Information

The CDH17 gene, located on human chromosome 8q22.1, is a member of the cadherin superfamily and encodes liver–intestine cadherin (cadherin-17). Cadherins are calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecules essential for maintaining tissue architecture and cell polarity. Unlike classical E-cadherins, CDH17 is classified as a 7D-type cadherin, featuring a long extracellular region with seven cadherin repeats, a single transmembrane domain, but lacking the conserved intracellular catenin-binding domain typical of classical cadherins. This unique structure suggests that CDH17 mediates cell adhesion and downstream signaling in ways that differ significantly from classical cadherins.

CDH17 expression is highly tissue-specific, predominantly found on epithelial cells of the gastrointestinal mucosa, the bile-facing surface of hepatocytes, and the ductal epithelium of the pancreas, consistent with its role in gastrointestinal morphogenesis and function.

Biological Significance

CDH17 plays critical roles in tissue integrity and peptide transport. As a cadherin, its extracellular domain mediates homophilic cell–cell adhesion, supporting the formation of epithelial layers, maintenance of polarity, and preservation of tissue architecture in the gastrointestinal tract and liver. This adhesion forms a physical barrier essential for mucosal integrity.

Figure 1. CDH17, VE-cadherin, and CDH6 cooperatively promote cell proliferation, epithelial–mesenchymal transition, and extracellular matrix invasion. (Casal JI, et al., 2019)

Uniquely, CDH17 also functions as a proton-dependent oligopeptide transporter. On the apical membrane of intestinal epithelial cells, CDH17 uses the extracellular proton gradient to actively transport dipeptides and tripeptides generated from dietary protein digestion into cells, contributing to protein absorption. This function makes CDH17 important for the bioavailability of oral peptide drugs and certain prodrugs.

Beyond its physiological roles, CDH17 aberrant expression is closely linked to cancer progression. Normally restricted in adult tissues, CDH17 is frequently re-expressed or overexpressed in digestive system adenocarcinomas, including hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, gastric cancer, colorectal cancer, and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. In tumors, CDH17 promotes cell aggregation, survival, and invasive phenotypes, potentially through Wnt/β-catenin and ERK/MAPK signaling pathways, driving epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and enhancing cell migration and invasion. Its adhesive properties may also support metastatic colonization at distant sites, transforming CDH17 from a structural molecule into a driver of malignancy.

Clinical Relevance

CDH17 has significant diagnostic and therapeutic potential in gastrointestinal cancers. Its highly tissue-specific expression allows for valuable immunohistochemical detection. For example, in primary liver tumor differential diagnosis, CDH17 is generally negative or weakly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma but highly expressed in cholangiocarcinoma, aiding in distinguishing these histologically and therapeutically distinct malignancies. Similarly, CDH17 positivity in metastatic adenocarcinoma strongly suggests a gastrointestinal or pancreaticobiliary origin, providing critical diagnostic clues.

Therapeutically, CDH17-targeted strategies are under active exploration. Its high expression in tumors and limited normal tissue distribution make it an attractive target. Current approaches include monoclonal antibodies that induce antibody-dependent cytotoxicity or block CDH17-mediated pro-survival signaling, and CDH17-targeted CAR-T or CAR-NK cells for precise immunotherapeutic clearance of tumor cells. Although most of these therapies remain in preclinical or early clinical stages, they represent a novel treatment avenue for advanced digestive tract cancers. Additionally, CDH17's role in peptide transport may inform personalized drug delivery and dosage design.

In summary, CDH17 is a tissue-specific molecule with essential physiological functions and clear pathological implications, emerging as a promising target for both diagnostic and therapeutic applications.

References

Ordóñez NG. Cadherin 17 is a novel diagnostic marker for adenocarcinomas of the digestive system. Adv Anat Pathol. 2014 Mar;21(2):131-7.
Casal JI, Bartolomé RA. Beyond N-Cadherin, Relevance of Cadherins 5, 6 and 17 in Cancer Progression and Metastasis. Int J Mol Sci. 2019 Jul 9;20(13):3373.

Quick Inquiry

Interested in learning more?

Contact us today for a free consultation with the scientific team and discover how Creative Biogene can be a valuable resource and partner for your organization.

Request a quote today!

Inquiry