ACTA 2 anyone?

Interesting news in my world recently. The mystery of what caused my aorta to explode apparently has been solved--and it's very docile name is ACTA2 I was a little disappointed to hear that from the geneticist's nurse the other day when I finally talked to her about my test results, which were taken a few months ago now, I suppose. The found a genetic marker in ACTA 2--which as you may have clicked above, "The ACTA2 gene provides instructions for making a protein called smooth muscle alpha (α)-2 actin, which is part of the actin protein family. Actin proteins are important for cell movement and the tensing (contraction) of muscles. Smooth muscle α-2 actin is found in smooth muscle cells. Smooth muscles line the internal organs, including the blood vessels, stomach, and intestines. Within smooth muscle cells, smooth muscle α-2 actin forms the core of structures called sarcomeres, which are necessary for muscles to contract. Smooth muscles contract and relax as part of their normal function without being consciously controlled. Layers of smooth muscle cells are found in the walls of the arteries, which are blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body. Smooth muscle α-2 ...