Biopolymers and cell. Volume 20. № 4. 402-409.

N. V. Lutay, A. Z. Brazaluk, A. B. Peleshenco, A. I. Shevtsova

General organization of fibronectins and their role in norm and pathology

Summary

The data on structure and functions of fibronectins and their diagnostic significance in clinics are reviewed. Fibronectin is a high molecular glycoprotein present in the extracellular matrix and in various body fluids including plasma. Fibronectin exists in a number of isoforms composed of repeating subunits which create functional domains involved in binding different ligands of blood and extracellular matrix. Fibronectin is implicated in a variety of biological processes such as cell migration, differentiation, hemostasis, opsonization, wound healing, oncogenic transformation. Alterations in the fibronectin level in biological fluids and changes in its expression in tissues can be used in diagnostics of various pathological conditions.