ACTA2

This gene encodes one of six different actin proteins. Actins are highly conserved proteins that are involved in cell motility, structure, integrity, and intercellular signaling. The encoded protein is a smooth muscle actin that is involved in vascular contractility and blood pressure homeostasis. Mutations in this gene cause a variety of vascular diseases, such as thoracic aortic disease, coronary artery disease, stroke, and Moyamoya disease, as well as multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome.

Actin, Alpha 2, Smooth Muscle, Aorta

0610041G09Rik; Actvs; SMAalpha; SMalphaA; a-SMA; alphaSMA

Actins are highly conserved proteins that are involved in various types of cell motility and are ubiquitously expressed in all eukaryotic cells.

Glomerular mesangial cell development
Mesenchyme migration
Muscle contraction
Positive regulation of gene expression
Positive regulation of transcription, DNA-templated
Regulation of blood pressure
Response to virus
Vascular associated smooth muscle contraction

Cytoskeleton

Aortic aneurysm, familial thoracic 6 (AAT6): A disease characterized by permanent dilation of the thoracic aorta usually due to degenerative changes in the aortic wall. It is 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.
Moyamoya disease 5 (MYMY5): A progressive cerebral angiopathy characterized by bilateral intracranial carotid artery stenosis and telangiectatic vessels in the region of the basal ganglia. The abnormal vessels resemble a 'puff of smoke' (moyamoya) on cerebral angiogram. Affected individuals can develop transient ischemic attacks and/or cerebral infarction, and rupture of the collateral vessels can cause intracranial hemorrhage. Hemiplegia of sudden onset and epileptic seizures constitute the prevailing presentation in childhood, while subarachnoid bleeding occurs more frequently in adults.
Multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome (MSMDS): A syndrome characterized by dysfunction of smooth muscle cells throughout the body, leading to aortic and cerebrovascular disease, fixed dilated pupils, hypotonic bladder, malrotation, and hypoperistalsis of the gut and pulmonary hypertension.

Oxidation of Met-46 and Met-49 by MICALs (MICAL1, MICAL2 or MICAL3) to form methionine sulfoxide promotes actin filament depolymerization. MICAL1 and MICAL2 produce the (R)-S-oxide form. The (R)-S-oxide form is reverted by MSRB1 and MSRB2, which promotes actin repolymerization.
Monomethylation at Lys-86 (K84me1) regulates actin-myosin interaction and actomyosin-dependent processes. Demethylation by ALKBH4 is required for maintaining actomyosin dynamics supporting normal cleavage furrow ingression during cytokinesis and cell migration.
Methylated at His-75 by SETD3.
(Microbial infection) Monomeric actin is cross-linked by V.cholerae toxins RtxA and VgrG1 in case of infection: bacterial toxins mediate the cross-link between Lys-52 of one monomer and Glu-272 of another actin monomer, resulting in formation of highly toxic actin oligomers that cause cell rounding. The toxin can be highly efficient at very low concentrations by acting on formin homology family proteins: toxic actin oligomers bind with high affinity to formins and adversely affect both nucleation and elongation abilities of formins, causing their potent inhibition in both profilin-dependent and independent manners.