Specificity
Beta-parvin, also known as affixin, is a focal adhesion protein belonging to a family of ILKbinding proteins that contain tandem calponin homolog domains. Along with Alpha-parvin, Beta-parvin is one of the most widely researched and characterized members of this family. These two proteins interact with the ILK kinase domain in a way that is mutually exclusive and regulates both the activity of the kinase and actin cytoskeleton adhesion. Studies have shown Beta-parvin to be downregulated within human breast cancer cells, and that its expression may influence the progression of breast cancer (Johnstone, 2008). Additional research indicates a critical role for Beta-parvin in the regulation of cardiac contractility when it is in complex with ILK (Hannigan, 2007).
