Cytoskeletal protein Zyxin in embryonic development: from controlling cell movements and pluripotency to regulating embryonic patterning

The Lim-domain protein Zyxin was initially identified as a minor actin cytoskeleton protein that regulates the assembly and repair of actin filaments. At the same time, additional functions revealed for Zyxin in recent decades indicate that this protein can also play an important role in regulating gene expression and cell differentiation. In this review, we analysed the data in the literature pointing to Zyxin as one of the possible molecular hubs linking morphogenetic cell movements with gene expression, stem cell status regulation and pattern formation during the most complex processes in organism life, embryogenesis.

Automated summary

Zyxin, initially recognized as a minor actin cytoskeleton protein, not only regulates actin filaments assembly and repair but also plays a crucial role in gene expression and cell differentiation, particularly during embryogenesis process.