LIM Domain And Actin Binding Protein 1 (LIMA1)

EPLIN is a cytoskeleton-associated protein that inhibits actin filament depolymerization and cross-links filaments in bundles.EPLIN-alpha was either downregulated or lost in 8 of 8 oral cancer cell lines, 4 of 4 prostate cancer cell lines, 3 of 3 xenograft tumors, and 5 of 6 breast cancer cell lines tested.

EPLIN-alpha encodes a deduced 600-amino acid protein, and EPLIN-beta encodes a deduced 759-amino acid protein. Both proteins contain a centrally located LIM domain that is distantly related to the LIM domain of muscle LIM protein. Northern blot analysis detected the 2 EPLIN transcripts at about 3.8 kb. Highest expression was in placenta, followed by kidney, pancreas, prostate, ovary, spleen, and heart; low expression was detected in all other tissues.