T-CADHERIN AS A NOVEL RECEPTOR THAT REGULATES METABOLIC PROCESSES IN CELLS OF BLOOD VESSELS AND HEART: FROM STRUCTURE TO FUNCTION
The review considers structural characteristics of T-cadherin (T-cad) that allow it to perform functions apart from cell adhesion. T-cad is a receptor for important participants of metabolic processes: low density lipoproteins and the high-molecular weight adiponectin. Association of polymorphism in T-cad gene with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, predominant expression of T-cad in cardiovascular system, cardioprotection and ischemic limb revascularization that depend on T-cad interaction with adiponectin suggest an important role of this receptor in functioning of heart and vascular cells. Possible mechanisms of T-cad-involved regulation of metabolic processes are discussed.