ACVR2A (ACVR2A stands for: Activin A Receptor Type 2A) is a protein coding gene located on chromosome 2q22.3-q23.1.
The ACVR2A gene encodes a receptor that mediates the functions of activins (activin A, activin B, and inhibin A/Renlund N et al. 2007). which belong to the transforming growth factor (TGF-beta) superfamily and are involved in various biological processes.
The encoded receptor protein is a transmembrane serine-threonine kinase receptor that mediates signals by forming heterodimeric complexes with various combinations of type I and type II receptors and ligands in a cell-specific manner. The receptor complexes formed consist of two type II and two type I transmembrane kinases (serine/threonine kinases). The type II receptors phosphorylate and activate type I receptors, which autophosphorylate and then bind and activate SMAD transcriptional regulators. The encoded type II receptor is primarily involved in ligand binding and includes an extracellular ligand-binding domain, a transmembrane domain, and a cytoplasmic serine/threonine kinase domain.