NELL2

Protein kinase C-binding protein NELL2 is a secreted glycoprotein that in humans is encoded by the NELL2 gene. It is a homolog of Nel, which is a gene present in the neural tissues of chickens.

This gene encodes a cytoplasmic protein that contains six epidermal growth factor (EGF) -like repeats. The encoded heterotrimeric protein may be involved in cell growth regulation and differentiation. A similar protein in rodents is involved in craniosynostosis. An alternative splice variant has been described but its full length sequence has not been determined.

Function

NELL2 has been implicated to be involved in a variety of different functions including neuronal development, sperm maturation, cancer progression and bone development.

NELL2 has been shown to have roles in neuronal polarization and axon growth. NELL2 is a negative regulator of axon guidance in the SLIT-ROBO signalling pathway where it binds with the ROBO3/Rig-1 receptor. It can also bind with ROBO2 under acidic conditions, where ROBO2 undergoes proteolytic cleavage.

NELL2 expression has been linked to higher survival rates for female lung adenocarcinoma patients.