Calcium-dependent cell adhesion protein; preferentially mediates homotypic cell-cell adhesion by dimerization with a CDH2 chain from another cell. Cadherins may thus contribute to the sorting of heterogeneous cell types. Acts as a regulator of neural stem cells quiescence by mediating anchorage of neural stem cells to ependymocytes in the adult subependymal zone: upon cleavage by MMP24, CDH2-mediated anchorage is affected, leading to modulate neural stem cell quiescence. Plays a role in cell-to-cell junction formation between pancreatic beta cells and neural crest stem (NCS) cells, promoting the formation of processes by NCS cells (By similarity). CDH2 may be involved in neuronal recognition mechanism. In hippocampal neurons, may regulate dendritic spine density.