Non-muscle myosin IIB heavy chain (NMHC IIB (also referred to as NM IIB, NMIIB))

Non-muscle myosin IIB heavy chain is a cytoskeletal motor protein encoded by the MYH10 gene. Unlike muscle-specific myosins, NMIIB is expressed broadly across tissues and is the dominant myosin II isoform in several cell types. It forms a hexameric complex with regulatory and essential light chains and uses ATP hydrolysis to generate force along actin filaments, driving cellular contractility, migration, adhesion, and cytokinesis[1][3][6]. NMIIB is particularly crucial for heart development and cell shape maintenance; mutations are linked to congenital neurological and cardiac disorders[6]. Although not yet a clinical drug target, modulating its activity experimentally (e.g., with blebbistatin) profoundly alters actin cytoskeleton dynamics and has revealed roles in cancer cell invasion, development, and infection[2][4][6]. The protein also contributes to cell response to mechanical cues and stabilization of type I collagen mRNAs[6]. Disruption of NMIIB can cause defects in tissue integrity and cellular programming, highlighting both its importance and the challenges of therapeutic targeting[3][4][6].

Other names

Myosin heavy chain 10MYH10Non-muscle myosin heavy chain IIBNMHC II-BNMIIB

Inhibition of actin-dependent ATPase activity (e.g., blebbistatin); Disruption of actomyosin force generation and cytoskeletal tension