N-cadherin detected in the membrane fraction of lens fiber cells

Summary N-cadherin was identified as a glycoprotein present in the fiber cell membranes of frog, chick, bovine, rabbit and human lenses. The molecular size of N-cadherin varies with the species. Homogenization of the chick lens in the presence of Ca²⁺ resulted in a decrease in the concentration of N-cadherin. This suggests that the lens contains a Ca²⁺-activated protease which can act on N-cadherin.