Description
Vitronectin, also known as VTN, is a protein that in humans is encoded by the VTN gene. The protein encoded by this gene is a member of the pexin family. It is found in serum and tissues and promotes cell adhesion and spreading, inhibits the membrane-damaging effect of the terminal cytolytic complement pathway, and binds to several serpin serine protease inhibitors. It is a secreted protein and exists in either a single chain form or a clipped, two chain form held together by a disulfide bond. Also vitronectin serves to regulate proteolysis initiated by plasminogen activation. In addition, vitronectin is a component of platelets and is, thus, involved in hemostasis