ACVR2A
ACVR2A (activin A receptor type 2A, also known as ACTRII or ACVR2) is a transmembrane serine/threonine kinase that acts as a type 2 receptor for activin A, activin B and inhibin A. It relays TGF-beta superfamily signals into the cell through SMAD transcriptional regulators. Browse Assay Genie's current range of ACVR2A research reagents below, or read on for the biology behind the target.
ACVR2A is a receptor for activin A, activin B and inhibin A. On ligand binding it forms a receptor complex made up of two type 2 and two type 1 transmembrane serine/threonine kinases. The type 2 receptors phosphorylate and activate the type 1 receptors, which autophosphorylate and then bind and activate SMAD transcriptional regulators. ACVR2A also mediates the induction of adipogenesis by GDF6.
The ACVR2A gene encodes a protein with an extracellular ligand-binding domain, a transmembrane domain and a cytoplasmic serine-threonine kinase domain. As a type 2 receptor it is primarily involved in ligand binding. It signals by forming heterodimeric complexes with various combinations of type 1 and type 2 receptors and ligands, in a cell-specific manner. Alternative splicing of the gene produces multiple transcript variants. The protein is found at the cell membrane and belongs to the TKL Ser/Thr protein kinase family, TGFB receptor subfamily, within the protein kinase superfamily.
HGNC places ACVR2A in the type 2 receptor serine/threonine kinases and in the BMP receptors gene groups. Earlier names include activin A receptor, type II and activin A receptor, type IIA, and the symbols ACTRII and ACVR2 are still seen in the literature. The gene may be associated with susceptibility to preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related disease that can cause maternal and foetal morbidity and mortality. Orthologous genes are named Acvr2a in mouse and rat.
ACVR2A binds activin A, activin B and inhibin A, making it a central component for studying activin-mediated TGF-beta superfamily signalling.
Type 2 receptors phosphorylate type 1 receptors, which then activate SMAD transcriptional regulators, so ACVR2A is useful for dissecting receptor complex activation.
ACVR2A mediates the induction of adipogenesis by GDF6, linking the receptor to studies of fat cell differentiation.
The ACVR2A gene may be associated with susceptibility to preeclampsia, a pregnancy-related disease, making it a candidate in reproductive and pregnancy research.
ACVR2A is a type 2 receptor for activin A, activin B and inhibin A. After ligand binding it joins a complex of two type 2 and two type 1 receptors, phosphorylates the type 1 receptors, and so triggers SMAD activation. It also mediates GDF6-induced adipogenesis.
HGNC lists ACTRII and ACVR2 as aliases, and the earlier names activin A receptor, type II and activin A receptor, type IIA. UniProt calls the protein activin receptor type-2A. Alternative splicing gives multiple transcript variants of the gene.
Mouse and rat both have an orthologous gene, Acvr2a. In humans the gene may be associated with susceptibility to preeclampsia. Check the datasheet of any product for its validated reactivity.
Other activin and TGF-beta family receptors that pair with ACVR2A in type 1 and type 2 signalling complexes.
Gene and protein annotations from HGNC, NCBI Gene and UniProt P27037; product specifications from Assay Genie datasheets.