Signaling via PINCH: Functions, binding partners and implications in human diseases

Particularly interesting new cysteine-histidine-rich protein (PINCH) is a LIM-domain-only adaptor that plays important roles in cytoskeletal organization and extracellular matrix adhesion, migration, proliferation and survival. Mammalian cells have two functional PINCH proteins, PINCH1 and PINCH2. PINCH not only binds to Nck2 and engages in the signaling of growth factor receptors, but also forms a ternary complex with ILK and parvin (IPP complex). Normally, the IPP complex locates to focal adhesions participating in the signaling of integrins and mediating the interaction of cytoskeleton and extracellular matrix (ECM). Accumulative evidence indicates that abnormalities in PINCH signaling are involved in the pathogenesis of important diseases, such as cancers, renal diseases, cardiomyopathy, and HIV. Therefore, clarifying the functions of PINCH and its interactions with key factors is important for better understanding of signaling events both in health and disease.