Annexin A2
Protein-coding gene in the species Homo sapiens
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Annexin A2 also known as annexin II is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ANXA2 gene.[5]
Annexin 2 is involved in diverse cellular processes such as cell motility (especially that of the epithelial cells), linkage of membrane-associated protein complexes to the actin cytoskeleton, endocytosis, fibrinolysis, ion channel formation, and cell matrix interactions. It is a calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding protein whose function is to help organize exocytosis of intracellular proteins to the extracellular domain. Annexin II is a pleiotropic protein meaning that its function is dependent on place and time in the body.
Gene
The ANXA2 gene, located at 15q22.2, has three pseudogenes located on chromosomes 4, 9 and 10, respectively. Multiple alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been found for this gene.[6]
Function
This protein is a member of the annexin family. Members of this calcium-dependent phospholipid-binding protein family play a role in the regulation of cellular growth and in signal transduction pathways. This protein functions as an autocrine factor which heightens osteoclast formation and bone resorption.[6] Epigenetic regulation of Annexin A2 has been identified as a key determinant of mesenchymal transformation in brain tumors.[7] Maternal deficiency of the ANXA2 gene contributes to shallow decidual invasion by placental cytotrophoblast cells. These findings highlight the maternal contribution to the pathogenesis of severe preeclampsia.[8]
Annexin A2 has been proposed to function inside the cell in sorting of endosomes and outside the cell in anticoagulant reactions.