Fibrinogen beta chain

A long coiled coil structure formed by 3 polypeptide chains connects the central nodule to the C-terminal domains (distal nodules). The long C-terminal ends of the alpha chains fold back, contributing a fourth strand to the coiled coil structure.

Cleaved by the protease thrombin to yield monomers which, together with fibrinogen alpha (FGA) and fibrinogen gamma (FGG), polymerize to form an insoluble fibrin matrix. Fibrin has a major function in hemostasis as one of the primary components of blood clots. In addition, functions during the early stages of wound repair to stabilize the lesion and guide cell migration during re-epithelialization. Was originally thought to be essential for platelet aggregation, based on in vitro studies using anticoagulated blood. However subsequent studies have shown that it is not absolutely required for thrombus formation in vivo. Enhances expression of SELP in activated platelets. Maternal fibrinogen is essential for successful pregnancy. Fibrin deposition is also associated with infection, where it protects against IFNG-mediated hemorrhage. May also facilitate the antibacterial immune response via both innate and T-cell mediated pathways.

Congenital afibrinogenemia

CAFBN

Rare autosomal recessive disorder is characterized by bleeding that varies from mild to severe and by complete absence or extremely low levels of plasma and platelet fibrinogen.

None

The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry. Patients with congenital fibrinogen abnormalities can manifest different clinical pictures. Some cases are clinically silent, some show a tendency toward bleeding and some show a predisposition for thrombosis with or without bleeding.

Dysfibrinogenemia, congenital

DYSFIBRIN

A disorder characterized by qualitative abnormalities (dysfibrinogenemia) of the circulating fibrinogen. Affected individuals are frequently asymptomatic, but some patients have bleeding diathesis, thromboembolic complications, or both. In some cases, dysfibrinogenemia is associated with low circulating fibrinogen levels (hypodysfibrinogenemia).

None

The disease is caused by variants affecting the gene represented in this entry.

Conversion of fibrinogen to fibrin is triggered by thrombin, which cleaves fibrinopeptides A and B from alpha and beta chains, and thus exposes the N-terminal polymerization sites responsible for the formation of the soft clot. The soft clot is converted into the hard clot by factor XIIIA which catalyzes the epsilon-(gamma-glutamyl)lysine cross-linking between gamma chains (stronger) and between alpha chains (weaker) of different monomers.

Detected in blood plasma (at protein level).

• Secreted

Fibrinogen beta chain, FGB

• entrezGene:2244
• swissprot:P02675

Proteins

Metabolism

55928Da