Transglutaminase-2 C Polypeptide, EC=2.3.2.13, Protein-glutamine-gamma-glutamyltransferase

Transglutaminase 2 is historically a member of the transglutaminase family that catalyzes a calcium-dependent acyl transfer reaction between peptide bound glutamine and a suitable primary amine.The protein is known to participate in all-trans-retinoic acid mediated signaling events as a G-protein and transamidate targets such as RhoA and the retinoblastoma gene product. The action of transglutaminase 2 stabilizes proteins by conferring mechanical resistance and protection from proteolysis. The protein is expressed intracellularly and secreted on the cell surface where it interacts with proteins in the extracellular matrix and aids in anchoring cells to basement membranes. Recently, transglutaminase 2 has been identified as an important factor that interacts with fibronectin in the extracellular matrix at the cell membrane and provides survival signals and inhibits anoikis in fibroblasts. The protein is expressed in human endothelial cells. The human transglutaminase 2 gene is localized in the chromosomal region 20q12. Transcript variants encoding two different isoforms have been found for this gene. Deficiency of the protein results in early-onset diabetes type 2.