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| NRP2 |
|---|
| Full Name | Neuropilin 2 |
| Chromosomal Location | 2q33.3 |
| NCBI Gene ID | [5818](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/gene/5818) |
| OMIM | [602070](https://www.omim.org/entry/602070) |
| Ensembl ID | ENSG00000118257 |
| UniProt | [O60462](https://www.uniprot.org/uniprot/O60462) |
| Associated Diseases | Alzheimer's Disease, Parkinson's Disease, Hirschsprung Disease, Cancer |
NRP2 encodes Neuropilin 2, a transmembrane glycoprotein that functions as a receptor for multiple ligands including Semaphorin3B (SEMA3B), Semaphorin3F (SEMA3F), Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF), and other axon guidance molecules. NRP2 is essential for neuronal development, axonal guidance, and vascular development. While NRP1 and NRP2 share structural homology, they have distinct expression patterns and ligand specificities. This page covers the gene's normal function, disease associations, expression patterns, and key research findings relevant to neurodegeneration.
NRP2 participates in multiple signaling pathways:
- Axon Guidance: NRP2 serves as a receptor for class 3 semaphorins (SEMA3B, SEMA3F), directing axon migration
- Dendritic Morphogenesis: Regulates dendritic arborization
- Synapse Formation: Involved in inhibitory synapse development
- Neural Crest Cell Migration: Critical for peripheral nervous system development
- Angiogenesis: NRP2 acts as VEGF receptor, supporting blood vessel formation
- Lymphangiogenesis: Particularly important for lymphatic vessel development
- Vascular Patterning: Guides developing blood and lymphatic vessels
NRP2 functions as:
- Co-receptor for VEGFR1/VEGFR2 in angiogenesis
- Receptor for SEMA3B/SEMA3F in neuronal guidance
- Partner for plexin receptors in semaphorin signaling
- Regulator of cell migration and adhesion
NRP2 involvement in AD:
- Altered NRP2 expression in AD brain
- NRP2-VEGF signaling in cerebral blood flow regulation
- SEMA3B-NRP2 signaling affects synaptic function
- Neurovascular dysfunction involves NRP2
- NRP2 expression in substantia nigra
- Axon guidance defects involve NRP2 dysfunction
- Possible interaction with alpha-synuclein pathology
- NRP2 mutations associated with Hirschsprung disease
- Defects in enteric nervous system development
- NRP2 overexpression in multiple tumors
- Promotes invasion and metastasis
- Poor prognosis in several cancers
NRP2 exhibits distinct expression patterns:
- Cerebral Cortex: Moderate expression in interneurons
- Hippocampus: Expression in CA regions
- Substantia Nigra: Dopaminergic neurons
- Peripheral Nervous System: Enteric neurons, sensory ganglia
- Endothelial Cells: Lymphatic and vascular endothelium
- Neural Crest Derivatives: Schwann cells, melanocytes
Expression is regulated by:
- Hypoxia
- Growth factors
- Developmental signals
- Cell type-specific transcription factors
NRP2 represents a therapeutic target for:
- Neurodegenerative disease research
- Cancer therapy (anti-metastasis)
- Lymphangiogenesis-related diseases
Therapeutic strategies include:
- NRP2 antagonists
- SEMA3B/F modulators
- VEGF-NRP2 blocking agents
- Neuropilin 2 in neural development (2019)
- NRP2 and semaphorin signaling in the nervous system (2020)
- Neuropilin-VEGF receptors in neurovascular function (2021)
- NRP2 in cancer metastasis (2018)