ALPHA ISOACTIN Meaning and
Definition
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Alpha isoactin is a protein that belongs to the actin family and is one of the three isoforms of smooth muscle actin, encoded by the ACTA2 gene. It functions as a major cytoskeletal constituent in smooth muscle cells, playing a crucial role in maintaining cell integrity and overall cellular architecture.
The alpha isoactin protein consists of a chain of approximately 377 amino acids and contains two distinct domains: the N-terminal head domain and the C-terminal tail domain. These domains possess different functions within the protein's overall structure. The head domain participates in actin filament formation by binding to other actin molecules, while the tail domain interacts with various actin-binding proteins, promoting actin cytoskeletal organization and stability.
Alpha isoactin is mainly expressed in smooth muscle cells found in various organs, including blood vessels, airways, and gastrointestinal tract. It confers contractile properties to these tissues, allowing them to perform vital physiological functions such as regulating blood pressure, constriction and relaxation of blood vessels, regulation of airflow in the lungs, and peristaltic movements in the gastrointestinal tract.
Furthermore, abnormalities in alpha isoactin expression or mutations in the ACTA2 gene are associated with various disorders, including familial thoracic aortic aneurysm and dissection (FTAAD) and multisystemic smooth muscle dysfunction syndrome (MSMDS). These conditions manifest as structural weaknesses in smooth muscle tissues, leading to potential life-threatening complications.
Overall, alpha isoactin forms an essential part of the smooth muscle cell cytoskeleton, providing the necessary structure and functionality for the proper physiological functioning of smooth muscle tissues.
Common Misspellings for ALPHA ISOACTIN
- zlpha isoactin
- slpha isoactin
- wlpha isoactin
- qlpha isoactin
- akpha isoactin
- appha isoactin
- aopha isoactin
- aloha isoactin
- allha isoactin
- al-ha isoactin
- al0ha isoactin
- alpga isoactin
- alpba isoactin
- alpna isoactin
- alpja isoactin
- alpua isoactin
- alpya isoactin
- alphz isoactin
- alphs isoactin
- alphw isoactin
Etymology of ALPHA ISOACTIN
The term "alpha isoactin" is a combination of two separate words: "alpha" and "isoactin".
The word "alpha" comes from the first letter of the Greek alphabet, "α" (alpha). In scientific contexts, "alpha" is often used to denote the first or primary form of something.
The term "isoactin" is a compound word combining two components: "iso-" and "actin". "Iso-" is a prefix that comes from the Greek word "isos", meaning "equal" or "same". It is commonly used to indicate that two or more things have the same or similar properties. "Actin" refers to a protein found in cells that participates in various cellular processes, including muscle contraction.
Therefore, "alpha isoactin" can be understood to refer to the first or primary form of a protein called actin or a protein similar to actin.
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