文摘
Annexins constitute a multigene family of proteins broadly expressed, both phylogenetically and within cells and tissues. They are characterized by their ability to bind calcium and anionic phospholipids and by a conserved 70-aminoacid domain, repeated either four or eight times. These proteins have been implicated in multiple aspects of cell biology including regulation of membrane trafficking, transmembrane channel activity, inhibition of phospholipase A2, inhibition of coagulation, transduction of mitogenic signal and settlement of cell-matrix interactions. However exact biological functions of the annexins are not yet known.