Anti-Caldesmon antibody [12B5] (ab8247)

Function

Actin- and myosin-binding protein implicated in the regulation of actomyosin interactions in smooth muscle and nonmuscle cells (could act as a bridge between myosin and actin filaments). Stimulates actin binding of tropomyosin which increases the stabilization of actin filament structure. In muscle tissues, inhibits the actomyosin ATPase by binding to F-actin. This inhibition is attenuated by calcium-calmodulin and is potentiated by tropomyosin. Interacts with actin, myosin, two molecules of tropomyosin and with calmodulin. Also play an essential role during cellular mitosis and receptor capping.

Tissue specificity

High-molecular-weight caldesmon (isoform 1) is predominantly expressed in smooth muscles, whereas low-molecular-weight caldesmon (isoforms 2, 3, 4 and 5) are widely distributed in non-muscle tissues and cells. Not expressed in skeletal muscle or heart.

Sequence similarities

Belongs to the caldesmon family.

Domain

The N-terminal part seems to be a myosin/calmodulin-binding domain, and the C-terminal a tropomyosin/actin/calmodulin-binding domain. These two domains are separated by a central helical region in the smooth-muscle form.

Post-translational
modifications

In non-muscle cells, phosphorylation by CDK1 during mitosis causes caldesmon to dissociate from microfilaments. Phosphorylation reduces caldesmon binding to actin, myosin, and calmodulin as well as its inhibition of actomyosin ATPase activity. Phosphorylation also occurs in both quiescent and dividing smooth muscle cells with similar effects on the interaction with actin and calmodulin and on microfilaments reorganization.

Cellular localization

Cytoplasm > cytoskeleton. Cytoplasm > myofibril. On thin filaments in smooth muscle and on stress fibers in fibroblasts (nonmuscle).

Alternative names

Database links