Background |
Alpha actinins belong to the spectrin gene superfamily which represents a diverse group of cytoskeletal proteins, including the alpha and beta spectrins and dystrophins. Alpha actinin is an actin-binding protein with multiple roles in different cell types. In nonmuscle cells, the cytoskeletal isoform is found along microfilament bundles and adherens-type junctions, where it is involved in binding actin to the membrane. In contrast, skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle isoforms are localized to the Z-disc and analogous dense bodies, where they help anchor the myofibrillar actin filaments. This gene encodes a nonmuscle, alpha actinin isoform which is concentrated in the cytoplasm, and thought to be involved in metastatic processes. Mutations in this gene have been associated with focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. |
Manufacturers Research Area |
Epigenetics Nuclear Signaling, RNA Binding, Cancer, Invasion and Metastasis, Signal Transduction, Cell Biology Developmental Biology, Cell Adhesion, Cytoskeleton, Microfilaments, Extracellular Matrix, Endocrine Metabolism, Immunology Inflammation, T Cell Receptor Signaling Pathway |