Final answer:
Fibronectin interacts with fibrin, collagen, heparin, and integrin, but not with pectin. Pectin is a plant polysaccharide unrelated to the animal cell adhesion processes that involve fibronectin.
Step-by-step explanation:
Fibronectin interacts with each of the following except E) pectin.
Fibronectin is a prominent glycoprotein in the extracellular matrix (ECM) that plays a crucial role in cell adhesion and migration. It does so by binding to various components within the ECM, thereby facilitating cell movement during processes such as development and wound healing.
Among the provided options, A) fibrin, B) collagen, C) heparin, and D) integrin are all known to interact with fibronectin. Fibrin is involved in blood clotting, and fibronectin can bind to fibrin within blood clots. Collagen is another major component of the ECM that fibronectin binds to, enabling the structural integrity and organization of tissues. Heparin, a glycosaminoglycan, can interact with fibronectin as well. Importantly, integrins are transmembrane receptors that mediate the adhesion between cells and the ECM by binding to ECM proteins including fibronectin.
Pectin, on the other hand, is not known to interact with fibronectin. Pectin is a structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of plants and is not typically involved in the animal cell adhesion processes that fibronectin facilitates.