Cadherin-5, though member of the family of cadherins has been shown to be functionally as well as structurally distinct from classical cadherins (e.g. E-, N-, P-cadherins). Through its function and location cadherin-5 has been named VE-cadherin. VE-cadherin belongs to the adhesion molecules responsible for cellular interactions.

The vascular endothelial cadherin (VE-cadherin) gene encodes a Ca2 -dependent cell adhesion molecule required for the organization of interendothelial junctions. This gene is exclusively and constitutively expressed in endothelial cells. The corresponding protein, an endothelial-specific cadherin, is localized at the intercellular junctions. VE-cadherin mediates homophilic, calcium-dependent aggregation and cell-to-cell adhesion.