ACVR2A Protein

ACVR2A (activin A receptor type 2A) belongs to a receptor family that mediates the functions of activins, members of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) family of ligands with multiple biological functions. The TGF-β signaling pathway is involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, and apoptosis of colon cancer. The mutation rate of ACVR2A is approximately 60%, making it the most frequently mutated gene in hypermutated colon cancer. However, the expression profiles of ACVR2A and its biological function in colon cancer tumorigenesis and progression are largely unknown.Activin receptor type-2A (ACVR2A) is also known as Activin receptor type IIA, ACTR-IIA, ACTRIIA and ACVR2, which is single-pass type I membrane protein. They function through heteromeric complexes of type I and type II serine/threonine kinase receptors. Dimeric ligands bind to a type II receptor, such as Activin Receptor IIA (ActRIIA), which then associates with a type I receptor to initiate signal transduction. On ligand binding, ACVR2A forms a receptor complex consisting of two type II and two type I transmembrane serine/threonine kinases. Type II receptors phosphorylate and activate type I receptors which autophosphorylate, then bind and activate SMAD transcriptional regulators. ACVR2A is a receptor for activin A, activin B and inhibin A as well. Mature human ActRIIA is a 70 kDa glycoprotein that consists of a 116 amino acid (aa) extracellular domain (ECD), a 26 aa transmembrane segment, and a 352 aa cytoplasmic region that includes the kinase domain and a PDZ-binding motif. Activin proteins are involved in a wide range of biological processes including mesoderm induction, neural cell differentiation, bone remodeling, hematopoiesis, the regulation of reproductive physiology, inflammation, and carcinogenesis.