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Annexins: what are they good for?
1Department of Biochemistry, Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois 60612, USA. jmollenh@rpslmc.edu
Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences : CMLS
|June 1, 1997
Summary
Annexins are calcium-binding proteins found in most eukaryotic cells, but their exact functions remain unclear. This review synthesizes research to identify common structural and functional characteristics across the annexin family.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Annexins are a family of calcium- and phospholipid-binding proteins.
- These proteins are expressed in nearly all eukaryotic cell types.
- Despite widespread presence, a unified function for all annexins is not established.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide a coordinated overview of annexin research.
- To identify common structural and functional features among annexin family members.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing scientific literature on annexins.
- Analysis of structural and functional data from various annexin studies.
Main Results:
- Annexins exhibit diverse roles, often related to membrane binding and protein interactions.
- Commonalities in calcium-dependent binding and cellular localization are observed.
- Despite variations, a core set of structural motifs likely underlies their diverse functions.
Conclusions:
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the specific roles of each annexin.
- Understanding annexin commonalities can lead to new therapeutic targets.
- This coordinated review highlights the importance of studying annexins as a family.