Testin (TES) Protein

Background

TES is a tumor suppressor protein that belongs to the LIM domain-containing family, functioning in actin cytoskeletal organization, cell adhesion, and signaling regulation. TES interacts with focal adhesion proteins and actin-binding molecules to regulate cellular processes such as cell spreading, migration, and morphology. It acts as a scaffolding protein at focal adhesions, mediating interactions between the actin cytoskeleton and signaling molecules to maintain cell adhesion and structural integrity. TES is also involved in transcriptional regulation by interacting with nuclear proteins, including transcription factors, to control gene expression associated with cell growth and differentiation. Downregulation of TES is commonly observed in cancers, where its loss disrupts cytoskeletal organization and promotes tumor progression, metastasis, and reduced cell adhesion. Knockdown studies reveal increased cell motility, reduced cell adhesion, and enhanced invasive capacity, emphasizing TES’s critical role in maintaining cytoskeletal stability, suppressing tumor growth, and regulating cellular architecture.