SMC Contractile Signaling
Gene co-expression module in Smooth muscle cells
| Category | Contractility |
|---|---|
| Genes | 8 |
| Annotation certainty | 3 of 5 |
| Annotation consistency | 6 of 8 genes have a known function matching the annotation |
Why this annotation
PRUNE2 (BMCC1) is a canonical visceral/vascular smooth-muscle-enriched gene, RGS2 is the key GPCR/Gq brake controlling SMC contraction and relaxation, SDC3 and BOC are membrane co-receptors (hedgehog/adhesion) active in mural cells, with PLEKHO1 (actin-associated CKIP-1) and SCARA3 rounding out a contractile/GPCR-signaling state. Distinct from the ECM-focused neighbors, but co-expressed because both reflect a differentiated mural-cell state gradient.
Genes
ACAA2, BOC, CELF2, PLEKHO1, PRUNE2, RGS2, SCARA3, SDC3
Most correlated modules
- Contractile SMC phenotype · correlation 0.87
- Growth Arrest Stress · correlation 0.86
- Basement Membrane Matrix · correlation 0.85
- Integrin adhesion complex · correlation 0.79
- FOXF2 Mesenchymal Patterning · correlation 0.78
- Netrin Guidance Signaling · correlation 0.78
- Collagen-Laminin Deposition · correlation 0.78
- Fibroblast-like Activation · correlation 0.76
Module annotations were drafted by a large language model from the module's genes, then reviewed and approved by a domain expert. See sources & licences.