The TPM3 gene provides instructions for making a protein called slow muscle alpha (α)-tropomyosin, which is part of the tropomyosin protein family. Tropomyosin proteins regulate the tensing of muscle fibers (muscle contraction) by controlling the binding of two muscle proteins, myosin and actin. In non-muscle cells, tropomyosin proteins play a role in controlling cell shape.
Slow muscle α-tropomyosin is found in skeletal muscles, which are the muscles used for movement. Skeletal muscle is made up of two types of muscle fibers: type I (slow twitch fibers) and type II (fast twitch fibers). Slow muscle α-tropomyosin is found only in type I fibers. Type I fibers are the primary component of skeletal muscles that are resistant to fatigue. For example, muscles involved in posture, such as the neck muscles that hold the head steady, are made predominantly of type I fibers. Slow muscle α-tropomyosin helps regulate muscle contraction in type I skeletal muscle fibers.
Other Names
cytoskeletal tropomyosin TM30; FLJ41118; heat-stable cytoskeletal protein 30 kDa; hscp30; TM-5; TM3; TPM3_HUMAN; TRK; tropomyosin alpha-3 chain; tropomyosin gamma
Related Genetics Topics
- Congenital fiber-type disproportion — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Nemaline myopathy — MedlinePlus Genetics
- Cap myopathy — MedlinePlus Genetics
Identifiers
- NCBI Gene: 7170
- OMIM: 191030
Source: MedlinePlus Genetics, U.S. National Library of Medicine.
