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. Defects in placental cadherin (P-cadherin) are the cause of ectodermal dysplasia with ectrodactyly and macular dystrophy (EEM), also known as EEM syndrome, Albrectsen-Svendsen syndrome or Ohdo-Hirayama-Terawaki syndrome. EEM is an autosomal recessive condition characterized by features of ectodermal dysplasia such as sparse eyebrows and scalp hair, and selective tooth agenesis associated with macular dystrophy and ectrodactyly.