fibronectin

American  

[fahy-bruh-nek-tin] / ˌfaɪ brəˈnɛk tɪn /

noun

Cell Biology.

1. a fibrous protein that binds to collagen, fibrin, and other proteins and also to the cell membranes, functioning as an anchor and connector.

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fibronectin Scientific  

/ fī′brə-nĕk′tn /

1. Any of several glycoproteins that occur especially in plasma and in soft connective tissue. Fibronectins are important for the adhesion of fibrous extracellular tissue matrices and also play roles in cellular adhesion, embryonic cellular differentiation, phagocytosis, and the aggregation of platelets in blood clotting.

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Etymology

Origin of fibronectin

1975–80; fibro- + Latin nect ( ere ) to bind, join together ( connect, nexus ) + -in ²

Example Sentences

The team found that several aptamers attached to a variant of a protein called fibronectin on the surface of mouse cells.

From Science Daily

Scientists do not yet know how this fibronectin variant relates to senescence.

From Science Daily

Fibronectin is usually present in the blood-brain barrier in very minute amounts, but it is increased in large amounts in people with Alzheimer's disease.

From Science Daily

The variant identified in the fibronectin gene seems to protect against Alzheimer's disease by preventing the buildup of excess fibronectin at the blood-brain barrier.

From Science Daily

They also found that reducing fibronectin in the animals increased amyloid clearance and improved other damage caused by Alzheimer's disease.

From Science Daily