Cadherin

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A calcium-dependent protein on the surface of cells that helps them stick firmly to one another in tissues
2. A type of transmembrane glycoprotein that binds to matching molecules on neighboring cells, holding tissues together in the body
3. Any member of a family of calcium-binding proteins that mediate adhesion between cells and play a key role in tissue formation

Etymology: Cadherin is a deliberately constructed name, assembled from the phrase "calcium-dependent adhesion molecules" and the protein suffix "-in." The word therefore describes what the molecules do: they hold cells together, and their grip depends on calcium ions. Calcium is the key detail. Remove it and the molecules lose their ability to bind neighbouring cells, which is why the name puts it up front. The "-in" ending is the standard suffix chemists and biologists attach to proteins, so the word reads as a compact label rather than a figure of speech. Its parts are transparent: "cad" from the first letters of the longer phrase, "herin" from the ending. The protein family is named for how it works, not for a person or place.