| Product Detail |
| All eukaryotic cells express Actin, which often constitutes as much as 50% of total cellular protein. Actin filaments can form both stable and labile structures and are crucial components of microvilli and the contractile apparatus of muscle cells. While lower eukaryotes, such as yeast, have only one Actin gene, higher eukaryotes have several isoforms encoded by a family of genes. At least six types of Actin are present in mammalian tissues and fall into three classes. alpha-Actin expression is limited to various types of muscle, whereas beta- and gamma-Actin are the principle constituents of filaments in other tissues. Members of the small GTPase family regulate the organization of the Actin cytoskeleton. Rho controls the assembly of Actin stress fibers and focal adhesion. Rac regulates Actin filament accumulation at the plasma membrane. Cdc42 stimulates formation of filopodia. Function: Actins are highly conserved proteins that are involved in various types of cell motility and are ubiquitously expressed in all eukaryotic cells. Subunit: Polymerization of globular actin (G-actin) leads to a structural filament (F-actin) in the form of a two-stranded helix. Each actin can bind to 4 others. Subcellular Location: Cytoplasm, cytoskeleton. Post-translational modifications: Oxidation of Met-46 by MICALs (MICAL1, MICAL2 or MICAL3) to form methionine sulfoxide promotes actin filament depolymerization. Methionine sulfoxide is produced stereospecifically, but it is not known whether the (S)-S-oxide or the (R)-S-oxide is produced (By similarity). DISEASE: Defects in ACTA2 are the cause of aortic aneurysm familial thoracic type 6 (AAT6) [MIM:611788]. AATs are characterized by permanent dilation of the thoracic aorta usually due to degenerative changes in the aortic wall. They are primarily associated with a characteristic histologic appearance known as 'medial necrosis' or 'Erdheim cystic medial necrosis' in which there is degeneration and fragmentation of elastic fibers, loss of smooth muscle cells, and an accumulation of basophilic ground substance. Similarity: Belongs to the actin family. SWISS: P68032 Gene ID: 59 |