We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Annexin?

By Y. Chen
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 4,304
Share

Annexin refers to a group of recently discovered, structurally related family of proteins. They are found in most living things, and in all the kingdoms with the exception of bacteria. The annexin share the common characteristics of binding to phospholipid membranes and to calcium. They are usually found inside the cell but are sometimes also found on the outside. Annexin was first described in the 1980s, and since then, at least ten different kinds of annexin have been identified in the mammalian species.

Research into the biological functions of annexin have barely scratched the surface of its real role in the human body. Of the ten annexins already identified, their biological functions are specific but diverse. As an enzymatic protein, annexin also goes by the name of lipocortin. Lipocortins are responsible for the suppression of enzymatic activities of another protein called phospholipase A2. This mechanism is analogous to what glucocorticoids, a class of steroid hormones, do to inhibit inflammation.

In humans, the annexin are usually found inside the cells, which make up tissues, which in turn make up the organs and organ systems. However, annexins can also be found outside the cell circulating around in blood. Annexin A1, A2, and A5 are three types that have been found in blood, though their means of getting out of the cell are largely enigmatic. Proteins are usually transported out of the cell through signal peptides, but these annexins do not contain signal peptides.

Of the fundamental research that has been done into these kinds of annexin, A1 plays a role in inflammation processes. A2 and A5 both aid in anticoagulant reactions in the body by competing with other proteins for binding sites. Scientists have been utilizing a combination of structural, cell, and molecular biology methods to investigate more into the nature of annexins. Some of these methods include X-ray crystallography, low- and high-resolution electron microscopy, preparation of annexins with their interacting proteins, and also production of vast quantities of the proteins for experimental purposes.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-annexin.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.