Fibronectin/FN1 (E5H6X) Rabbit mAb (Alexa Fluor^® 647 Conjugate) #72943

Fibronectin is a multi-domain extracellular matrix (ECM) protein. The protein uses its different domains to bind distinct ECM components such as collagens, growth factors, and cell surface integrins to carry on its functions (1). Fibronectin has been implicated in many essential biological processes, including tissue repair, fibrosis, and tumor development (1,2). There are many fibronectin isoforms. Plasma fibronectin is synthesized by hepatocytes and exists as a compact, inactive conformation in the bloodstream. It is a major component of fibrin clots. Upon binding to integrins or other cell surface receptors, fibronectin switches to an extended conformation, and exposes its function domains to activated extracellular matrix assembly (3). Fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and many types of cancer cells have also been shown to synthesize cellular fibronectin isoforms. Among them, the EDA or EDB isoforms are particularly highly expressed during fibrosis and cancer development, and are potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets (4-6).