What is Annexin?

Annexin refers to a group of recently discovered structurally related protein families. They are found in most living things and in all kingdoms except bacteria. Annexin shares common characteristics of binding to phospholipid membranes and calcium. They usually occur inside the cell, but sometimes also occur on the outside. Annexin was first described in the 80s and since then at least ten different types of Annexin have been identified in mammalism.

The research of biological functions of annexin barely scratched the surface of its true role in the human body. Of the ten annexins identified, their biological functions are specific but diverse. Annexine also goes through the name lipocortin . Lipocortins are responsible for the suppression of the enzymatic activities of another protein called phospholipase A2 . This mechanism is analogous to what glucocorticoids, three -stage hormones, do inhibition of inflammation.

In people with annexin usually occurs inside cells that form tissues that in turn form organs and organ systems. However, annexins can also be found outside the blood circulating cell. Annexin A1, A2 and A5 are three types that have been found in the blood, although their means to withdraw from the cell are largely mysterious. Proteins are usually transported from the cell through signal peptides, but these annexins do not contain signal peptides.

From the basic research conducted in these types of annexin, A1 plays a role in inflammatory processes. A2 and A5 help in anticoagulant reactions in the body by competing with other proteins about binding places. Scientists use a combination of structural, cellular and molecular biological methods for more exploration in the nature of Annyxins. Some of these methods include X -ray crystallography, low -resolution electron microscopy, preparation of annexins with their intEagging proteins as well as the production of a huge amount of proteins for experimental purposes.