Actin, cytoplasmic 1 (ACTB) (ACTB)

Actin, cytoplasmic 1 (ACTB) is a highly conserved protein that serves as a major component of the eukaryotic cytoskeleton, existing in both monomeric (G-actin) and filamentous (F-actin) forms. It plays a critical role in maintaining cell shape, enabling cell motility through lamellipodia and filopodia, and facilitating cytokinesis during cell division (UniProt, 2024). In addition to its structural functions, cytosolic actin is involved in intracellular trafficking and the regulation of gene expression. Mutations in the ACTB gene are linked to developmental disorders such as Baraitser-Winter cerebrofrontofacial syndrome, characterized by intellectual disability and facial dysmorphism (NCBI Gene, 2024). In the context of cancer, the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton is a hallmark of epithelial-mesenchymal transition, promoting the migration and invasion of tumor cells (PubMed, 2023). While actin is a potential target for anti-metastatic therapy, its ubiquity across all human cells presents a significant challenge for drug development. Most known actin-interacting agents, such as cytochalasins and latrunculins, are primarily used as research tools due to their narrow therapeutic index and high risk of systemic toxicity (PubChem, 2024).

Other names

Beta-actinGamma-actinNon-muscle actinACTBACTG1Actin, cytoplasmic 2

Inhibition of actin polymerization by binding to the barbed end of filaments; sequestration of G-actin monomers to prevent assembly; stabilization of F-actin filaments to prevent depolymerization (PubChem, 2024).