Cadherins are calcium-dependent adhesive glycoproteins implicated in h
istogenetic processes. In Xenopus laevis, the distribution of classica
l cadherins N, E, EP, XB and U has been determined by immunofluorescen
ce labeling or by in situ hybridization. In this study, we report the
full-length sequence of the E-cadherin cDNA. Comparison with the other
cadherin sequences available indicates that Xenopus E-cadherin is as
homologous to Xenopus EP-cadherin as to the chicken L-CAM and to the m
ammalian E-cadherin. Although Xenopus E-cadherin protein sequence exhi
bits many short conserved motifs present in other E-cadherins, it diff
ers remarkably from the chicken L-CAM and the mammalian E-cadherin in
its appearance after gastrulation. In situ hybridization data showed t
hat E-cadherin transcripts are homogenously distributed in all differe
ntiating epithelia from early tailbud to post-metamorphic stage. In co
ntrast to mouse E-cadherin, Xenopus E-cadherin was not detected transi
ently in the nervous system during embryogenesis and in the post-metam
orphic stages.