fibronectin

[ fahy-bruh-nek-tin ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

1. a fibrous protein that binds to collagen, fibrin, and other proteins and also to the cell membranes, functioning as an anchor and connector.

fibronectin

/ fī′brə-nĕk′tn /

1. Any of several glycoproteins that occur especially in plasma and in soft connective tissue. Fibronectins are important for the adhesion of fibrous extracellular tissue matrices and also play roles in cellular adhesion, embryonic cellular differentiation, phagocytosis, and the aggregation of platelets in blood clotting.

Word History and Origins

Origin of fibronectin¹

1975–80; fibro- + Latin nect ( ere ) to bind, join together ( connect, nexus ) + -in ²