Ankyrins

This review is focused on ankyrin which is a protein linker between the int egral membrane proteins and spectrin-based cytoskeleton. Structure and dist ribution of different ankyrin isoforms that are products of alternative-spl iced genes are described. Interaction of ankyrins with various membranes is considered. Special attention is paid to ankyrin participation in signal t ransduction and in assembly of integral membrane proteins in specialized me mbrane domains. (C) 2000 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Publ ished by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.