The term "Vitronectin Receptor" refers to a protein found on the surface of cells, which plays a key role in cell adhesion and signaling. The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription of this term is /vaɪtroʊˈnɛktɪn rɪˈseptər/. The spelling is straightforward, with emphasis on the "vitro," "nectin," and "ceptor" syllables, which helps to clarify the meaning of the word. Understanding correct spelling and pronunciation is essential for clear communication in scientific research and medical practice.
The term "Vitronectin Receptor" refers to a type of cell surface receptor protein that plays a crucial role in cell adhesion and migration processes. This receptor, also known as integrin alpha-V beta-3, is a member of the integrin family, which are transmembrane glycoproteins involved in various cellular functions.
The Vitronectin Receptor is named after its affinity for binding to vitronectin, a glycoprotein found in the extracellular matrix. This receptor is composed of two subunits: alpha-V and beta-3, where alpha-V is responsible for ligand recognition and beta-3 participates in signal transduction. It is widely expressed in different cell types, including fibroblasts, osteoclasts, platelets, and endothelial cells.
The main function of the Vitronectin Receptor is mediating cell adhesion to the extracellular matrix components, such as vitronectin, fibronectin, fibrinogen, and osteopontin. By binding to these ligands, it promotes cell migration, proliferation, and survival. Additionally, this receptor is involved in several physiological and pathological processes, including embryogenesis, inflammation, wound healing, angiogenesis, tissue remodeling, and cancer metastasis.
The Vitronectin Receptor can also act as a signaling molecule, activating intracellular pathways, and regulating gene expression. Its engagement with ligands triggers different signaling cascades, including the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways that regulate cellular functions.
In conclusion, the Vitronectin Receptor is a cell surface receptor that binds to vitron
The word "Vitronectin Receptor" is a scientific term used in the field of biology and biochemistry.
The term can be broken down into two parts: "Vitronectin" and "Receptor".
1. Vitronectin: Vitronectin is a glycoprotein that is found in blood plasma and extracellular matrix. It was first isolated and characterized in the early 1980s. The term "Vitronectin" is derived from the Latin words "vitrum", meaning glass or serum, and "nectere", meaning to bind or tie. This name reflects the protein's characteristic of binding to various substances, including other proteins, cells, and extracellular matrix components.