Calponin regulates smooth muscle cell contraction and is a marker of smooth muscle cell differentiation. Calponin, an Actin- and Tropomyosin-binding protein, is characterized as an inhibitory factor of smooth-muscle actomyosin activity. Calponin is implicated in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction through its interaction with F-Actin and inhibition of the Actin-activated MgATPase activity of phosphorylated Myosin. Both properties are lost following phosphorylation (primarily at Serine 175) by protein kinase C or calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. The three forms of Calponin, Calponin 1 (basic Calponin), Calponin 2 (neutral Calponin) and Calponin 3 (acidic Calponin), are found in smooth muscle tissue. Additionally, Calponin 2 is found in heart muscle tissue and Calponin 3 is found in the brain.
