Cadherins are calcium dependent cell adhesion proteins. Cadherins preferentially interact with themselves in a homophilic manner in connecting cells. Cadherins contribute to the sorting of heterogeneous cell types. N-cadherin functions during gastrulation and is required for establishment of left-right asymmetry. N-Cadherin is commonly found in cancer cells and provides a mechanism for transendothelial migration. When a cancer cell adheres to the endothelial cells of a blood vessel it up-regulates the src kinase pathway which phosphorylates beta-catenins attached to both N-cadherin and E-cadherins.