The CCM2 gene contains 10 coding exons and an alternatively spliced exon 1B. This gene is located on chromosome 7p13 and loss of function mutations on CCM2 lead to the onset of Cerebral Cavernous Malformations (CCM) illness.[1] Cerebral cavernous malformations (CCMs) are vascular malformations in the brain and spinal cord made of dilated capillary vessels.
Malcavernin is a protein that in humans is encoded by the CCM2gene.[2][3] The normal function of malcavernin is to act as a scaffold for a variety of signaling complexes including p38 MAP Kinase.[4] This protein is also involved in regulating the cellular localization of the KRIT1 protein[5] and acts with the Rho Kinase signaling pathway to maintain normal blood vessel structure.[6][7]
Advocacy
For more information and support for Cerebral Cavernous Malformations Patients and their families, please visit the Angioma Alliance website: www.angioma.org
↑Craig HD, Gunel M, Cepeda O, Johnson EW, Ptacek L, Steinberg GK, Ogilvy CS, Berg MJ, Crawford SC, Scott RM, Steichen-Gersdorf E, Sabroe R, Kennedy CT, Mettler G, Beis MJ, Fryer A, Awad IA, Lifton RP (Dec 1998). "Multilocus linkage identifies two new loci for a mendelian form of stroke, cerebral cavernous malformation, at 7p15-13 and 3q25.2-27". Hum Mol Genet. 7 (12): 1851–8. doi:10.1093/hmg/7.12.1851. PMID9811928.
↑Uhlik, M. T.; Abell, A. N.; Johnson, N. L.; Sun, W.; Cuevas, B. D.; Lobel-Rice, K. E.; Horne, E. A.; Dell'Acqua, M. L.; Johnson, G. L. (2003). "Rac–MEKK3–MKK3 scaffolding for p38 MAPK activation during hyperosmotic shock". Nature Cell Biology. 5 (12): 1104–1110. doi:10.1038/ncb1071. PMID14634666.
↑Zawistowski, J. S.; Stalheim, L.; Uhlik, M. T.; Abell, A. N.; Ancrile, B. B.; Johnson, G. L.; Marchuk, D. A. (2005). "CCM1 and CCM2 protein interactions in cell signaling: Implications for cerebral cavernous malformations pathogenesis". Human Molecular Genetics. 14 (17): 2521–2531. doi:10.1093/hmg/ddi256. PMID16037064.
Dupré N, Verlaan DJ, Hand CK, et al. (2003). "Linkage to the CCM2 locus and genetic heterogeneity in familial cerebral cavernous malformation". The Canadian journal of neurological sciences. Le journal canadien des sciences neurologiques. 30 (2): 122–8. PMID12774951.
Ota T, Suzuki Y, Nishikawa T, et al. (2004). "Complete sequencing and characterization of 21,243 full-length human cDNAs". Nat. Genet. 36 (1): 40–5. doi:10.1038/ng1285. PMID14702039.
Zhang J, Rigamonti D, Dietz HC, Clatterbuck RE (2007). "Interaction between krit1 and malcavernin: implications for the pathogenesis of cerebral cavernous malformations". Neurosurgery. 60 (2): 353–9, discussion 359. doi:10.1227/01.NEU.0000249268.11074.83. PMID17290187.
Gianfrancesco F, Cannella M, Martino T, et al. (2007). "Highly variable penetrance in subjects affected with cavernous cerebral angiomas (CCM) carrying novel CCM1 and CCM2 mutations". Am. J. Med. Genet. B Neuropsychiatr. Genet. 144 (5): 691–5. doi:10.1002/ajmg.b.30381. PMID17440989.