Syncoilin (SYNC)

Syncoilin is an atypical intermediate filament protein predominantly expressed in skeletal and cardiac muscle, encoded by the SYNC gene. In muscle, it localizes to regions such as the sarcolemma, neuromuscular junctions, perinuclear space, and myotendinous junction. It acts as a structural linker between the sarcomere Z-disk and the dystrophin-associated protein complex. The protein has several isoforms—Sync1, Sync2, and Sync3—which show differential tissue distribution (e.g., Sync1 in the brain, Sync2 in the spinal cord, and Sync3 in select muscle and CNS regions). Syncoilin interacts with desmin and peripherin and has been implicated in the pathology of muscle diseases (Duchenne/Becker muscular dystrophy, desminopathies, congenital myopathies), some neurodegenerative diseases (ALS), and is a biomarker for neuromuscular disease and gastric cancer progression. The protein’s role centers on mechanical integrity and cytoskeletal modulation but does not involve direct participation in signal transduction or metabolic enzymatic activity.

Other names

SYNCSync1SYNC1Syncoilin intermediate filament 1Syncoilin-1Sync2Sync3