Calponin-3 (CNN3)

Calponin-3 (CNN3) is an actin-binding regulatory protein encoded by the CNN3 gene in humans[1][6]. It consists of a conserved calponin homology (CH) domain, two actin-binding regions, and a variable C-terminus that distinguishes it from other calponin isoforms[1][5]. Calponin-3 is highly expressed in neural tissues (where it is involved in regulating actin cytoskeleton and neural plasticity), as well as in fibroblasts, embryonic trophoblasts, and myoblasts, where it negatively regulates cell fusion important for embryonic development and myogenesis[1][4][5]. In wound healing, it plays a role in fibroblast migration, stress fiber formation, and contractility[2][3]. Knockdown or loss of calponin-3 disrupts cytoskeletal organization, impairs cell migration, and is lethal in early development due to critical defects in neural tissue development[1][5]. Unlike typical receptors, enzymes, or druggable targets, calponin-3 is not considered a direct therapeutic target and there are no known drugs or specific clinical biomarkers associated with it. However, its regulatory role in processes like cell fusion and motility may have implications in developmental biology, fibrosis, and possibly regenerative medicine or neurodevelopmental disorders[1][4][5].

Other names

calponin 3acidic calponinh3/acidic calponinCNN3