Fibronectin: A Brief Overview of Its Structure, Function, and Physiology

Fibronectin is a large glycoprotein that is composed of blocks of three types of repeating, homologous peptide sequences. Several of the homologous blocks form functional domains that are organized in a linear array on two nearly identical subunit arms. Specific domains allow fibronectin to promote cell-to-cell adhesion, cell-to-basement-membrane attachment, clot stabilization, embryogenesis, nerve regeneration, fibroblast migration, macrophage function, and pathogen (virus, fungus, bacteria, and protozoa) binding to mammalian cells and extracellular matrix. Thus, this complex and multifunctional protein is involved in the pathogenesis of infections from the initiation of the infection through the final stages of wound healing.