Tenascin X
Encyclopedia
A member of the tenascin
Tenascin
Tenascins are extracellular matrix glycoproteins. They are abundant in the extracellular matrix of developing vertebrate embryos and they reappear around healing wounds and in the stroma of some tumors.-Types:...

 family, tenascin X (TN-X) also known as hexabrachion-like protein is a glycoprotein
Glycoprotein
Glycoproteins are proteins that contain oligosaccharide chains covalently attached to polypeptide side-chains. The carbohydrate is attached to the protein in a cotranslational or posttranslational modification. This process is known as glycosylation. In proteins that have segments extending...

 that is expressed in connective tissues including skin, joints and muscles. In humans, tenascin X is encoded by the TNXB gene
Gene
A gene is a molecular unit of heredity of a living organism. It is a name given to some stretches of DNA and RNA that code for a type of protein or for an RNA chain that has a function in the organism. Living beings depend on genes, as they specify all proteins and functional RNA chains...

.

Gene

This gene localizes to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC
Major histocompatibility complex
Major histocompatibility complex is a cell surface molecule encoded by a large gene family in all vertebrates. MHC molecules mediate interactions of leukocytes, also called white blood cells , which are immune cells, with other leukocytes or body cells...

) class III region on chromosome 6. The structure of this gene is unusual in that it overlaps the CREBL1
CREBL1
CAMP responsive element binding protein-like 1, also known as CREBL1, is a protein which in humans is encoded by the CREBL1 gene.- Function :...

 and CYP21A2
21-Hydroxylase
Steroid 21-hydroxylase is a cytochrome P450 enzyme that is involved with the biosynthesis of the steroid hormones aldosterone and cortisol.In humans, 21-Hydroxylase is encoded by the gene CYP21A2.-Names and classification:...

 genes at its 5' and 3' ends, respectively.

Function

This gene encodes a member of the tenascin family of extracellular matrix
Extracellular matrix
In biology, the extracellular matrix is the extracellular part of animal tissue that usually provides structural support to the animal cells in addition to performing various other important functions. The extracellular matrix is the defining feature of connective tissue in animals.Extracellular...

 glycoproteins. The tenascins have anti-adhesive effects, as opposed to fibronectin
Fibronectin
Fibronectin is a high-molecular weight glycoprotein of the extracellular matrix that binds to membrane-spanning receptor proteins called integrins. In addition to integrins, fibronectin also binds extracellular matrix components such as collagen, fibrin and heparan sulfate proteoglycans...

 which is adhesive. This protein is thought to function in matrix maturation during wound healing.

Clinical significance

Deficiency causes one of the types of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Ehlers-Danlos syndrome
Ehlers–Danlos syndrome is a group of inherited connective tissue disorders, caused by a defect in the synthesis of collagen . The collagen in connective tissue helps tissues to resist deformation...

where collagen density is reduced and elastic fibers are fragmentated.

External Links

The source of this article is wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.  The text of this article is licensed under the GFDL.
 
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