The SSH1 gene (SSH1 stands for: Slingshot Protein Phosphatase 1) is a protein coding gene located on chromosome 12q24.11. The protein encoded by this gene belongs to the family of slingshot homolog phosphatases (SSH) that regulate actin filament dynamics.
The SSH proteins dephosphorylate and activate the actin-binding/depolymerizing factor cofilin, which subsequently binds to actin filaments and stimulates their degradation. Cofilin is inactivated by kinases such as LIM domain kinase-1 (LIMK1), which can also be dephosphorylated and inactivated by SSH proteins. Thus, the SSH family appears to play a role in actin dynamics by reactivating cofilin proteins. Alternatively spliced transcript variants encoding different isoforms have been described for this gene.