Cadherins primarily mediate which type of cellular function?

Cadherins are a class of proteins that play a vital role in the process of cell adhesion. They are integral to cell-cell interactions in various tissues, particularly in adhering adjacent cells together, which is crucial for maintaining the structural integrity of tissues. Cadherins form homophilic interactions—meaning that they bind to other cadherin molecules on neighboring cells—contributing to the formation of adherens junctions. These junctions are essential for maintaining tissue architecture and facilitating communication between cells.

While cadherins may indirectly influence signaling pathways by helping to establish stable cell-cell contacts, their primary defined function within cellular biology is the mediation of adhesion. This allows for tissue formation and organization, impacting processes like development, wound healing, and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. The other options—signaling, transport, and metabolism—do not accurately capture the primary role of cadherins, making cell adhesion the correct focus for this question.