ENAH (gene)

ENAH, also known as Enabled Homologue, is a human gene encoding a protein that belongs to the Enabled/vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein (Ena/VASP) family. These proteins are actin-regulatory proteins, highly conserved from insects to mammals, that play a critical role in cell motility, adhesion, and cytoskeletal organization.

The ENAH protein, also sometimes referred to as Mena (Mammalian Enabled), is involved in the regulation of actin filament assembly at the leading edge of motile cells, in focal adhesions, and at other sites within the cell. It functions by binding to profilin, an actin monomer-binding protein, and to actin filaments themselves, promoting the polymerization of actin.

ENAH has been implicated in several cellular processes including cell migration, axon guidance, platelet activation, and cancer metastasis. Variations in ENAH expression levels and post-translational modifications can significantly influence cellular behavior.

Studies have shown that ENAH is overexpressed in certain types of cancer, contributing to increased cell motility and invasiveness, which are key factors in metastasis. Conversely, in other contexts, ENAH may play a tumor-suppressive role. Therefore, the precise role of ENAH in cancer development and progression is complex and context-dependent.

The ENAH gene is located on chromosome 1q21.2. Multiple transcript variants encoding different isoforms of the ENAH protein have been identified.