FERMT2

Fermitin family homolog 2 (FERMT2) also known as pleckstrin homology domain-containing family C member 1 (PLEKHC1) or kindlin-2 is a protein that in humans is encoded by the FERMT2 gene.

Kindlin-2 is the first of the kindlin protein to be discovered in 1994. It was detected in a screen for epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced mRNAs and initially named mitogen-inducible gene 2 (Mig-2) protein.

Function
FERMT2 is a component of extracellular matrix structures in mammalian cells and is required for proper control of cell shape change.

A major task of kindlins is to regulate the activation of integrins.

Interactions
FERMT2 has been shown to interact with FBLIM1.

Role in health and diseases

 * Loss of kindlin-2 in mice leads to peri-implantation lethality.
 * Kindlin-2 is highly expressed in activated myofibroblasts for regulation of focal adhesion formation.
 * Deletion of Kindlin-2 retards insulin secretion and reduces β-cell mass in mice.
 * Elevated kindlin-2 expression was observed in tubular intestinal fibrosis of the kidney, a condition is characterized by massive expansion of the cortical interstitium, conversion of fibroblasts into myofibroblasts and progressive EMT of tubular epithelial cells.
 * Kindlin-2 is required for angiogenesis and blood vessel homeostasis.
 * Kindlin-2 can exert tumor-promoting or tumor-inhibiting functions based on tumor-type-dependent.
 * FERMT2 modulates the Alzheimer's Disease risk by regulating APP metabolism and Aβ peptide production.