FERMT2
Description
The FERMT2 (FERM domain containing kindlin 2) is a protein-coding gene located on chromosome 14.
FERMT2, also known as Kindlin-2, Mitogen-inducible gene 2 protein, or Pleckstrin homology domain-containing family C member 1, is a protein encoded by the FERMT2 gene. It is a component of extracellular matrix structures in mammalian cells and is required for proper control of cell shape change. FERMT2 plays a major role in regulating the activation of integrins. FERMT2 interacts with FBLIM1. Loss of Kindlin-2 in mice leads to peri-implantation lethality. Kindlin-2 is highly expressed in activated myofibroblasts for regulation of focal adhesion formation. Deletion of Kindlin-2 retards insulin secretion and reduces β-cell mass in mice. Elevated Kindlin-2 expression was observed in tubular intestinal fibrosis of the kidney, a condition characterized by massive expansion of the cortical interstitium, conversion of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and progressive EMT of tubular epithelial cells.
FERMT2 is a scaffolding protein that enhances integrin activation mediated by TLN1 and/or TLN2, but activates integrins only weakly by itself. It binds to membranes enriched in phosphoinositides and enhances integrin-mediated cell adhesion onto the extracellular matrix and cell spreading, which requires its ability to interact with both integrins and phospholipid membranes. FERMT2 is required for the assembly of focal adhesions and participates in the connection between extracellular matrix adhesion sites and the actin cytoskeleton. It also plays a role in the orchestration of actin assembly and cell shape modulation. FERMT2 recruits FBLIM1 to focal adhesions and plays a role in the TGFB1 and integrin signaling pathways. It stabilizes active CTNNB1 and plays a role in the regulation of transcription mediated by CTNNB1 and TCF7L2/TCF4 and in Wnt signaling.
FERMT2 is also known as KIND2, MIG2, PLEKHC1, UNC112, UNC112B, mig-2.
