| spectrin | <protein> Membrane associated dimeric protein (240 & 220 kD) of erythrocytes. Forms a complex with ankyrin, actin and probably other components of the membrane cytoskeleton, so that there is a meshwork of proteins underlying the plasma membrane, potentially restricting the lateral mobility of integral proteins. Isoforms have been described from other tissues (fodrin, TW 240-260k protein), where they are assumed to play a similar role. Contains the EF hand motif. (18 Nov 1997) |
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