The name annexin is derived from the Greek annex meaning “bring/hold together” and was chosen to describe the principal property of all or at least nearly all annexins, i.e., the binding to and possibly holding together of certain biological structures, in particular membranes.Each annexin is composed of two principal domains:the divergent NH2-terminal “head” and the conserved COOH-terminal protein core. The latter harbors the Ca2 and membrane binding sites and is responsible for mediating the canonical membrane binding properties.Annexins are long known to be targets for posttranslational modifications. In fact, annexin A2 was initially isolated as a major v-src protein kinase substrate, and the tyrosine kinase activity of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor has long been known to phosphorylate annexin A1.There is evidence that through changes in expression, properties, or localization, annexins may contribute to the pathophysiology of disease phenotypes.

References

1.Gerke V, et al. Physiol Rev. 2002 Apr;82(2):331-71.