Actin-related protein 2 (ACTR2)

Actin-related protein 2 (ACTR2) is a cytoskeletal protein encoded by the *ACTR2* gene and is a key component of the Arp2/3 complex[1][2][4]. The Arp2/3 complex is essential in nucleating branched actin filaments, which underlie dynamic remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton in processes such as lamellipodia and filopodia formation, cell movement, membrane trafficking, dendritic spine morphogenesis in neuronal cells, and T cell receptor recycling in immune cells[1][2]. ACTR2’s role in actin polymerization impacts cellular physiology broadly, supporting essential phenomena including cell migration, wound healing, cancer cell invasion, immune cell activation, and nuclear processes such as transcription regulation and DNA double-strand break repair via homologous recombination[1][2][3]. Dysfunction or perturbation in ACTR2 or the Arp2/3 complex is linked to pathological conditions such as immune deficiency (e.g., Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome), defects in peroxisome biogenesis, impaired cytokinesis, genomic instability, and enhanced invasive properties of cancer cells[1][2].

Other names

ARP2Actin-like protein 2