Cyclase-associated protein 2 (CAP2)

Cyclase-associated protein 2 (CAP2) is an evolutionarily conserved actin-binding protein prominently expressed in brain, heart, skeletal muscle, and skin[5]. It is a key regulator of actin filament dynamics, primarily localizing at the pointed ends of thin filaments in cardiac and skeletal muscle, where it depolymerizes actin and restricts its incorporation into filaments, ensuring proper muscle contractility and maturation[1][6]. CAP2 also regulates cytoskeletal architecture in non-muscle cells and modulates cell proliferation and migration, controlling pathways such as SRF-MRTF-A signaling—a central transcriptional axis in cardiac and muscle biology[4][7]. Clinically, mutations or altered regulation of CAP2 is implicated in diverse pathologies, including cardiac defects, skeletal myopathies, developmental disorders, various cancers (e.g. ovarian cancer and glioma), and potentially in stroke susceptibility and metabolic muscle disease[3][6]. CAP2 is emerging as a promising biomarker for cancer prognosis, though there are currently no approved drugs known to directly target it.

Other names

Adenylyl cyclase-associated protein 2CAP 2CMD2I2810452G09RikAdenylate cyclase-associated protein 2