[The role of E-cadherin cell adhesion molecule in human ontogenesis in norm and pathology].

E-cadherin is one of the most important cell adhesion molecules, which plays a key role in embryogenesis and adult tissues under normal conditions and during tumor development. Molecules of E-cadherin are located at the epitheliocyte surface and take part in the adhesion contacts formation which are a characteristic feature of epithelial tissues. The role of E-cadherin is not only in the maintenance of intercellular adhesion, but also in provision of cell proliferation and differentiation through participation in the realization of a number of signaling pathways, the main of which is the canonical Wnt signaling pathway. This review provides basic information regarding the role of E-cadherin in human ontogenesis in norm and pathology.