fibronektiinin

Fibronektin is a large glycoprotein dimer found in plasma, basement membranes, and extracellular matrix. It plays a crucial role in cell adhesion, migration, differentiation, and wound healing. Fibronektin exists as two isoforms, cellular fibronectin (cFn) and plasma fibronectin (pFn), which are produced by different cell types and have distinct functions. pFn circulates in the blood and is involved in blood clotting, opsonization, and cell signaling. cFn is deposited in the extracellular matrix and binds to cell surface receptors, primarily integrins, mediating cell-matrix interactions. These interactions influence cell shape, motility, and survival. The fibronectin molecule is composed of repeating functional domains that bind to various ligands, including collagen, heparin, fibrin, and cell surface receptors. The alternative splicing of its messenger RNA leads to the generation of multiple fibronectin variants with diverse properties. Dysregulation of fibronectin expression and function has been implicated in various pathological conditions, including cancer metastasis, fibrosis, and inflammatory diseases.