What is Gene Ontology?
Gene Ontology (GO) are terms that describe the characteristics of genes through providing the biological process, molecular function, and cellular components that are associated with it [6]. Biological process refers to the processes that are performed by molecular level components that are enabled by the gene and its products. Similarly, molecular function refers to the molecular-level activities performed by the products of the gene. Lastly, cellular component describes the location within a cell that the gene products could be found or may be functioning. There are typically numerous terms for each of these ontological categories for any given gene [6].
Results
Biological Process
Platelet Activation |
Molecular Function
Collagen Binding |
Cellular Component
Platelet Granule |
VWF plays a role in platelet activation in response to vascular injury.
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VWF binds to collagen fibers in the vessel wall.
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VWF is released from the platelet granules.
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Discussion
The GO terms associated with the VWF gene highlight the important role that it serves for blood vessel hemostasis. Its connection to platelet activation, which includes platelet shape change, ability to form adhesive interactions with other coagulation factors, aggregation, and formation of hemostatic clots, proves a vital component to maintaining healthy vasculature [2]. The VWF protein also serves as the essential bridge in connective tissue of collagen fibers at the site of injury and recruit blood coagulation factors for hemostatic clot formation [4]. However, the specific mechanism by which the protein is able to activate platelets following injury remains unknown.
References:
[1] Biorender
[2] Embl-Ebi. (n.d.). Gene ontology and go annotations. QuickGO. https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0030168
[3] How collagen helps the blood to clot. BHF. (n.d.). https://www.bhf.org.uk/research-projects/collagenlike-peptides-synthetic-tools-to-investigate-vascular-cell-function#Collagen%20is%20a%20structural%20protein,the%20blood%20vessel%20inner%20walls.
[4] Embl-Ebi. (n.d.). Gene ontology and go annotations. QuickGO. https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0005178
[5] Gralnick, H. R., Williams, S. B., McKeown, L. P., Magruder, L., Hansmann, K., Vail, M., & Parker, R. I. (1991). Platelet von Willebrand factor. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 66(6), 634–640. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0025-6196(12)60524-2
[6] Gene ontology overview. Gene Ontology Resource. (2024, April 9). https://geneontology.org/docs/ontology-documentation/
[1] Biorender
[2] Embl-Ebi. (n.d.). Gene ontology and go annotations. QuickGO. https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0030168
[3] How collagen helps the blood to clot. BHF. (n.d.). https://www.bhf.org.uk/research-projects/collagenlike-peptides-synthetic-tools-to-investigate-vascular-cell-function#Collagen%20is%20a%20structural%20protein,the%20blood%20vessel%20inner%20walls.
[4] Embl-Ebi. (n.d.). Gene ontology and go annotations. QuickGO. https://www.ebi.ac.uk/QuickGO/term/GO:0005178
[5] Gralnick, H. R., Williams, S. B., McKeown, L. P., Magruder, L., Hansmann, K., Vail, M., & Parker, R. I. (1991). Platelet von Willebrand factor. Mayo Clinic proceedings, 66(6), 634–640. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0025-6196(12)60524-2
[6] Gene ontology overview. Gene Ontology Resource. (2024, April 9). https://geneontology.org/docs/ontology-documentation/
This web page was produced as an assignment for Genetics 564, a capstone course at UW-Madison.
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