Smoothelin Like Protein 2 (SMTNL2)

SMTNL2 belongs to the smoothelin family. 2 isoforms of the human protein are produced by alternative splicing. Smoothelin, a novel cytoskeletal protein specific for smooth muscle cells.

Smoothelin is a structural protein that is found exclusively in contractile smooth muscle cells. It associates with stress fibers and constitutes part of the cytoskeleton. Smoothelin was not detected in primary or long term smooth muscle cell cultures. Also, transcription of smoothelin mRNA was almost instantly halted in smooth muscle tissue explants. smoothelin is a new cytoskeletal protein that is only found in contractile smooth muscle cells and does not belong to one of the classes of structural proteins presently known.