ALPHA VINCULIN Meaning and
Definition
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Alpha Vinculin, also known as VCL, is a protein that plays a vital role in cell adhesion and the assembly of the cytoskeleton. It is an important component of focal adhesions, which are points of contact between cells and the extracellular matrix. Alpha Vinculin acts as a molecular linker, connecting cell surface receptors to the actin cytoskeleton, providing structural support and stability to the cell.
Structurally, alpha Vinculin is composed of three domains - the head, the proline-rich region, and the tail. The head domain contains a binding site for F-actin, while the tail domain interacts with other proteins such as talin and alpha-actinin. These interactions help to regulate cell adhesion, migration, and signaling.
Alpha Vinculin is widely expressed in various tissues and cell types, including muscle cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. It not only contributes to cell adhesion and cytoskeletal organization but also plays a role in cellular processes such as cell motility, cell spreading, and mechanotransduction.
Mutations or dysregulation of alpha Vinculin have been associated with various diseases, including cardiac disorders and cancer metastasis. Studying this protein is crucial for investigating the mechanisms underlying cellular processes, as well as developing potential therapeutic targets for diseases related to cell adhesion and cytoskeletal organization.
Common Misspellings for ALPHA VINCULIN
- zlpha vinculin
- slpha vinculin
- wlpha vinculin
- qlpha vinculin
- akpha vinculin
- appha vinculin
- aopha vinculin
- aloha vinculin
- allha vinculin
- al-ha vinculin
- al0ha vinculin
- alpga vinculin
- alpba vinculin
- alpna vinculin
- alpja vinculin
- alpua vinculin
- alpya vinculin
- alphz vinculin
- alphs vinculin
- alphw vinculin
Etymology of ALPHA VINCULIN
The word "alpha Vinculin" is a combination of the Greek letter "alpha" and the protein name "Vinculin". Here is the breakdown of the etymology:
1. Alpha: The word "alpha" comes from the Greek alphabet, where it is the first letter. It represents the letter "A" in English. In science and various fields, "alpha" is often used to denote the first or initial form of something.
2. Vinculin: Vinculin is a protein found in cells, particularly in structures known as focal adhesions, which help cells attach to their surrounding environment. The name "vinculin" originated from its role in "vincleri", which means "to bind" in Latin.
When combined, "alpha Vinculin" refers to the specific isoform or variant (the initial form, "alpha") of the protein vinculin.
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