Details for: CL0002504

Cell ID: CL0002504

Cell Name: enteric smooth muscle cell

Description: A smooth muscle cell of the intestine.

Synonyms: intestinal smooth muscle cell

Selected Context(s): Overall

Gene Significance Landscape

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Score:
Display
Genes

Contexts:

Cell Significance Index (CSI) is uniquely calculated to reveal cell-specific gene markers. More info here

Significant Genes List

Genes with the highest and lowest Percentile Rank Scores (PRS) for enteric smooth muscle cell within the selected context(s).

Gene ID: A unique numerical identifier for this specific gene.
Symbol: Shortened abbreviation or name that represents this gene.
Ensembl Gene ID: A unique identifier assigned by Ensembl for genomic data mapping.
CSI Score: A combined effect size and statistical significance measure for enteric smooth muscle cell. Higher scores indicate a stronger, more significant difference in expression.
(Previously described as "Fold Change", but now represents Cliff's Delta × –log10(p).)

Gene ID: A unique numerical identifier for this specific gene.
Symbol: Shortened abbreviation or name that represents this gene.
Ensembl Gene ID: A unique identifier assigned by Ensembl for genomic data mapping.
CSI Score: A combined effect size and statistical significance measure for enteric smooth muscle cell. Higher scores indicate a stronger, more significant difference in expression.
Average CSI: csi sum / gene count
Cell network configuration

This network visualizes key genes for enteric smooth muscle cell. It primarily includes:
1. Top genes highly significant for this cell (Num. Top Cell Genes - based on the 'Min. CSI' setting).
2. Any additional specific 'Context Genes' you add below.
The final network is a combined view. Choose an Interaction Source (pathways or protein interactions) and optionally compare CSI scores with a Baseline Cell Type.

Maximum number of selected genes.
Select a context for the baseline cell.
Select a context for the target cell.
Target Cell for CSI:  enteric smooth muscle cell (CL0002504)

 Legend
Nodes (Genes):
 Query Gene
Node size also reflects Target Cell CSI magnitude.
Node Color (Target Cell CSI in specific network):
 Very High
 High
 Medium
 Low
 Very Low
 N/A or Not Sig.
Edges (Interactions):
 STRING (Protein-Protein)
 ONTOLOGY (Shared Pathway)
 Colors vary by pathway category; default arrow applies.

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## Summary The [enteric smooth muscle cell](/details-cell/CL0002504), also known as the intestinal smooth muscle cell, is a specialized mesenchymal cell type responsible for the contractile movements (peristalsis) of the intestine. The gene significance profile indicates that this cell's identity is defined not only by core components of the muscular contractile apparatus, such as the myosin light chain [MYL6](/details-gene/4637), but also by a surprisingly specific and extensive suite of nuclear proteins involved in chromatin architecture and RNA processing. This suggests that beyond its primary mechanical function, the [enteric smooth muscle cell](/details-cell/CL0002504) maintains a highly active and specific program of gene regulation to support its specialized phenotype and potentially respond to microenvironmental cues. ## Key Characteristics and Function **Overall**, the gene expression profile of the [enteric smooth muscle cell](/details-cell/CL0002504) highlights its role as a metabolically active, contractile cell with significant investment in transcriptional and translational fidelity. The top marker genes can be organized into several key functional clusters: * **Contractile and Cytoskeletal Machinery:** The most significant defining marker is [MYL6](/details-gene/4637), a myosin alkali light chain essential for smooth muscle motor activity. Its top rank (CSI: 73.07) underscores the cell's fundamental contractile nature. This is complemented by the high specificity of [CFL1](/details-gene/1072), a protein that regulates actin filament dynamics, crucial for maintaining and remodeling the cytoskeleton during contraction and relaxation cycles. * **Nuclear Organization and Gene Regulation:** A prominent feature of this cell type is the high specificity of numerous nuclear proteins. [HMGB1](/details-gene/3146), a non-histone chromosomal protein, shows very high specificity, suggesting a role in maintaining chromatin structure and regulating transcription. A large contingent of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs), including [HNRNPDL](/details-gene/9987), [HNRNPA1](/details-gene/3178), [HNRNPA3](/details-gene/220988), and [HNRNPA2B1](/details-gene/3181), are also highly specific markers. This indicates that extensive and specific mRNA processing, splicing, and transport are defining activities of these cells. The high specificity of core histone variants [H3 3B](/details-gene/3021) and [H3 3A](/details-gene/3020), along with the nucleolar protein [NPM1](/details-gene/4869), further reinforces the importance of chromatin dynamics and ribosome biogenesis in maintaining cellular function. * **Energy Metabolism:** The cell's high energy demand is reflected in the specific expression of genes involved in both glycolysis ([GAPDH](/details-gene/2597)) and oxidative phosphorylation. Multiple components of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, including [COX1](/details-gene/4512), [COX4I1](/details-gene/1327), and ATP synthase subunit [ATP5MC2](/details-gene/517), are significant markers, highlighting the reliance on aerobic respiration to fuel sustained muscle contractions. * **Protein Synthesis and Turnover:** Genes associated with protein synthesis and processing, such as the signal recognition particle subunit [SRP14](/details-gene/6727) and the elongation factor [EEF1D](/details-gene/1936), are highly specific. This points to a robust capacity for protein production, likely necessary for the continuous maintenance of the contractile apparatus and other cellular components. **Overall**, the anti-marker profile helps refine the cell's identity. The low specificity of genes like [LOXL2](/details-gene/4017) (collagen cross-linking) and [TNMD](/details-gene/64102) (tendon-associated) suggests that these smooth muscle cells are distinct from matrix-producing fibroblasts or tenocytes. Similarly, the negative significance score for the long non-coding RNA [NEAT1](/details-gene/283131) suggests it is actively excluded or lowly expressed in this cell type compared to others in its environment. ## Clinical Significance and Contextual Roles The gene signature of the [enteric smooth muscle cell](/details-cell/CL0002504) provides insights into its potential roles in gastrointestinal health and disease. While this analysis covers the **Overall** context, the specific functions of its top marker genes implicate this cell in inflammatory processes, tissue homeostasis, and cancer. The high specificity of [HMGB1](/details-gene/3146) is particularly noteworthy. [HMGB1](/details-gene/3146) is a well-established alarmin or Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern (DAMP) that, when released from stressed or necrotic cells, can trigger potent inflammatory responses. Its specific expression in enteric smooth muscle suggests these cells may function as sentinels of tissue damage in the intestinal wall, releasing [HMGB1](/details-gene/3146) to initiate or amplify inflammation in conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or ischemia. One study has noted the expression of [HMGB1](/details-gene/3146) in human gastrointestinal adenocarcinoma ([Link](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9036861/)), pointing to its relevance in gut pathology. Furthermore, several top markers are linked to immune signaling pathways. [NPM1](/details-gene/4869) is known to be induced by interferon ([Link](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/2478125/)), and several HNRNPs are involved in cytokine signaling pathways. This suggests that enteric smooth muscle cells are not passive bystanders but may actively participate in the local immune environment of the gut, responding to and potentially modulating inflammatory signals. Dysregulation of the highly active transcriptional and translational machinery, indicated by the numerous specific hnRNP and ribosomal-related markers, could contribute to pathologies. Alterations in smooth muscle cell phenotype, contractility, and proliferation are central to motility disorders and the structural changes seen in chronic intestinal inflammation. ## Potential Mechanisms and Research Directions 1. **Hypothesis:** The profound specificity of a large set of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins (hnRNPs) and other RNA-binding proteins suggests that [enteric smooth muscle cells](/details-cell/CL0002504) utilize a complex post-transcriptional regulatory network to maintain their phenotype and rapidly adapt to physiological and pathological stimuli. This network may fine-tune the expression of contractile and metabolic proteins, allowing for plasticity in response to inflammatory cytokines or changes in the gut microbiome. * **Surprising Findings:** The dominance of nuclear proteins involved in RNA processing as *specificity* markers is unexpected for a cell type conventionally defined by its mechanical, cytoplasmic machinery. This implies that post-transcriptional regulation is a uniquely critical and defining feature of this cell's identity. * **Testable Questions:** Does selective knockdown of a top hnRNP marker, such as [HNRNPA1](/details-gene/3178), in primary [enteric smooth muscle cells](/details-cell/CL0002504) alter the alternative splicing or stability of mRNAs for key contractile proteins like [MYL6](/details-gene/4637) when the cells are challenged with an inflammatory stimulus like TNF-alpha? 2. **Hypothesis:** [Enteric smooth muscle cells](/details-cell/CL0002504) function as critical sensors and initiators of local inflammation within the gut wall through the stress-induced release of [HMGB1](/details-gene/3146). This positions the cell as an active participant in innate immunity, capable of translating mechanical or metabolic stress into a biochemical danger signal for recruitment and activation of professional immune cells. * **Surprising Findings:** While immune cell release of [HMGB1](/details-gene/3146) is well-studied, its high specificity in a structural cell like a smooth muscle cell suggests a primary, frontline role in sensing tissue distress, preceding immune cell infiltration. * **Testable Questions:** Does mechanical stretch or hypoxic stress applied to cultured [enteric smooth muscle cells](/details-cell/CL0002504) in vitro lead to the active secretion of [HMGB1](/details-gene/3146)? If so, is the conditioned media from these stressed cells sufficient to induce pro-inflammatory cytokine production (e.g., IL-6, TNF-alpha) in co-cultured macrophages?