Alpha-actinin-4 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the ACTN4 gene. [5]
Alpha actinins belong to the spectrin gene superfamily which represents a diverse group of cytoskeletal proteins, including the alpha and beta spectrins and dystrophins. Alpha actinin is an actin-binding protein with multiple roles in different cell types. In nonmuscle cells, the cytoskeletal isoform is found along microfilament bundles and adherens-type junctions, where it is involved in binding actin to the membrane. In contrast, skeletal, cardiac, and smooth muscle isoforms are localized to the Z-disc and analogous dense bodies, where they help anchor the myofibrillar actin filaments. This gene encodes a nonmuscle, alpha actinin isoform which is concentrated in the cytoplasm, and thought to be involved in metastatic processes. Mutations in this gene have been associated with focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis. [5]
Alpha-actinin-4 has been shown to interact with PDLIM1, [6] [7] Sodium-hydrogen exchange regulatory cofactor 2, [8] Collagen, type XVII, alpha 1, [9] CAMK2A, [10] CAMK2B, [10] MAGI1 [11] and TRIM3. [12]