@article{article_1254942, title={Increased Expression of the Actin-Related Protein 2 (ACTR2) Gene in Pterygium}, journal={Clinical and Experimental Health Sciences}, volume={14}, pages={631–635}, year={2024}, DOI={10.33808/clinexphealthsci.1254942}, url={https://izlik.org/JA87RR89MT}, author={Abdullah, Soran and Şahin, Kübra and Ateş, Ömer and Bozkurt, Nihan and Savkin, Sadegul Tuncer and Deniz Demir, Helin and Tetikçok, Ramazan}, keywords={Actin cytoskeleton, ACTR2, Cell migration, Expression, Pterygium}, abstract={Objective: Pterygium is a fibrovascular conjunctival degeneration whose pathogenesis remains unclear, although many risk factors have been identified. In our study, we purposed to find the level of Actin Related Protein 2 (ACTR2) gene expression in healthy conjunctiva tissues and pterygium to increase our understanding of the pathogenesis of pterygium. Methods: The study included 27 patients who underwent pterygium excision. ACTR2 mRNA expression level in healthy conjunctiva tissues and pterygium were determined by the Real-Time PCR method. Results: According to the results we obtained, ACTR2 gene expression was increased in 74% (20/27) of our cases, while ACTR2 gene expression was decreased in 26% (7/27). ACTR2 mRNA expression was detected to be remarkably higher in pterygium in proportion to conjunctiva tissue (p <.05). Conclusion: Our findings show that the ACTR2 gene and cell migration mechanism may play a role in the development of pterygium. However, supplementary research is requirement to determine the efficacy of the ACTR2 gene in pterygium disease and to better understand the relationship of the ACTR2 gene with pterygium.}, number={3}, organization={The study was funded by Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University Scientific Research Projects}