Cadherins are calcium dependent cell adhesion proteins. They preferentially interact with themselves in a homophilic manner in connecting cells; cadherins may thus contribute to the sorting of heterogeneous cell types. CDH2 may be involved in neuronal recognition mechanism. In hippocampal neurons, may regulate dendritic spine density.
Interacts with CDCP1. Identified in a complex containing FGFR4, NCAM1, CDH2, PLCG1, FRS2A, SRC, SHC1, GAP43 and CTTN. Interacts with PCDH8; this complex may also include TAOK2. The interaction with PCDH8 may lead to internalization through TAOK2/p38 MAPK pathway.