Functional diversity among spectrin isoforms

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Abstract
The purpose of this review on spectrin is to examine the functional properties of this ubiquitous family of membrane skeletal proteins. Major topics include spectrin‐membrane linkages, spectrin‐filament linkages, the subcellular localization of spectrins in various cell types and a discussion of major functional differences between erythroid and nonerythroid spectrins. This includes a summary of studies from our own laboratories on the functional and structural comparison of avian spectrin isoforms which are comprised of a common alpha subunit and a tissue‐specific beta subunit. Consequently, the observed differences among these spectrins can be assigned to differences in the properties of the beta subunits.