fibronectin

[fahy-bruh-nek-tin]

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.

fibronectin

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.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fibronectin¹

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

Example Sentences

"It made us think that excess fibronectin could be preventing the clearance of amyloid deposits from the brain."

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

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"That's why we are excited about the discovery of this variant in fibronectin, which may be a good target for drug development."

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The study identified the fibronectin variant, and the Columbia team publicized their results in a preprint for other researchers to view.

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"They found the same fibronectin variant, which confirmed our finding and gave us even more confidence in our result," Vardarajan says.

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