Kin of IRRE-like protein 2 (KIRREL2)

Kin of IRRE-like protein 2 (KIRREL2) is a type I transmembrane glycoprotein in the immunoglobulin superfamily, primarily localized at adherens junctions in pancreatic β-cells. It is structurally related to nephrin and other NEPH proteins and contains five extracellular Ig-like domains, a transmembrane region, and a cytoplasmic tail. KIRREL2 mediates cell-cell adhesion in pancreatic islets, regulates basal insulin secretion, and undergoes regulated proteolytic processing, including extracellular shedding and γ-secretase-mediated cleavage. Its expression is largely restricted to β-cells, and autoantibodies targeting KIRREL2 are found in type 1 diabetes patients, implicating a possible role in autoimmunity. Decreased expression has been associated with glomerular disease. Four splice variants have been reported, with predominant expression in the pancreas and nervous system. Despite functional links to insulin secretion and cell-cell adhesion, there are currently no therapeutics directly targeting KIRREL2.

Other names

NEPH3Nephrin-like protein 3FiltrinNLG1Kin of irregular chiasm-like protein 2Nephrin-like gene 1UNQ5827/PRO19646DKFZp564A1164MGC15718