Microtubule associated monooxygenase, calponin and LIM domain containing 2 (MICAL2)

Microtubule associated monooxygenase, calponin and LIM domain containing 2 (MICAL2) is a multidomain enzyme with a flavoprotein monooxygenase (MO) domain, calponin homology (CH) domain, and LIM domain[2][3][4]. It serves a crucial role in cytoskeletal dynamics by catalyzing NADPH-dependent oxidation of specific methionine residues (Met-44 and Met-47) on F-actin, resulting in actin filament severing and preventing repolymerization[1][4][2]. MICAL2 also regulates nuclear actin and thus transcriptional activity via the SRF/MRTF-A pathway[4][3]. Increased expression is tightly linked to progression, invasion, and migration of several cancers, likely due to its ability to induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)[5][2]. MICAL2 is also involved in myogenic lineage commitment, muscle differentiation, and cytoskeletal homeostasis[1]. Its activity produces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which further drive cytoskeletal rearrangements and can promote oncogenic signaling[2]. MICAL2 represents a potential therapeutic target in oncology and muscle pathologies, and its expression is considered a biomarker for aggressive and metastatic disease[5][4][1].

Other names

[F-actin]-monooxygenase MICAL2KIAA0750MICAL2PV1MICAL2PV2MICALCLMical-cLMICAL-2FLJ14966MICAL C-terminal-like proteinMolecule interacting with CasL protein 2Ebitein1ERK2-binding testicular protein 1[F-actin]-methionine sulfoxide oxidase MICAL2ebitein-1flavoprotein oxidoreductase MICAL2protein-methionine sulfoxide oxidase MICAL2