Description
Fibronectin (FN) also known as LETS, is identified on the surfFN of fibroblasts by labeling with radioactive compounds or specific antibodies. Fibronectin is a 430,000-dalton dimeric glycoprotein that exists in 2 forms, termed cellular and plasma fibronectin. Cellular and plasma fibronectins are heterodimers consisting of similar but not identical polypeptides.1 These two forms of FN differ in biologic activity. Fibronectins bind cell surfFNs and various compounds including collagen, fibrin, heparin, DNA, and actin. Because fibronectin stimulates endocytosis in several systems and promotes the clearance of particulate material from the circulation, it could function in the clearance of C1q-coated material such as immune complexes or cellular debris.2 Fibronectins are involved in cell adhesion, cell motility, opsonization, would healing, and maintenance of cell shape. LETS, encoded on chromosome 8, is responsible for the LETS protein expression in humans. Because LETS has been implicated in tumorigenicity and cellular transformation, it is of interest that rearrangement or modifications in the number of chromosome 8 have been associated with certain forms of cancer.3 The standard used in this kit is isolated from human plasma with the molecular mass of 200-250KDa