XB-FEAT-493936

acta2

This is the community wiki page for the gene acta2 please feel free to add any information that is relevant to this gene that is not already captured elsewhere in Xenbase.

nomenclature updates

05JAN2026

Xenopus gene name was updated to follow human gene name, changing from actin, alpha 2, smooth muscle, aorta to actin alpha 2, smooth muscle. Gene symbol is unchanged.

markers

acta2 is routinely used as a IHC marker for myofibroblasts, an activated form of fibroblast that is capable of contraction due to the presence of cytoskeletal proteins that are normally found in smooth-muscle cells and producing extracellular matrix (ECM), crucial for wound healing to close injuries and form scars. These cells participate in wound repair by contracting the edges of the wound (Aikawa et al., 2006).