Leiomodin-2 (LMOD2)

Leiomodin-2 (LMOD2) is a muscle-specific, actin-binding protein primarily expressed in cardiac muscle, where it is essential for the elongation and regulation of thin filaments within sarcomeres. LMOD2 mediates actin nucleation and polymerization, specifically binding at the pointed ends of actin filaments to promote elongation without capping—a role crucial for achieving mature filament length. Its absence or dysfunction leads to abnormal thin filament morphology, defective sarcomere assembly, and severe reduction of contractile force, culminating in dilated cardiomyopathy or other myopathies. LMOD2 is not currently a therapeutic target, nor are there approved drugs or biomarkers targeting it, but it is mechanistically central to muscle contractility and a cause of inherited muscle diseases when mutated.

Other names

Cardiac leiomodinC-LMODC-LmodCLMODCMD2GLeiomodin, cardiac leiomodinleiomodin-2leiomodin 2 (cardiac)