Liprin-alpha-2 (PPFIA2)

Liprin-alpha-2 (PPFIA2) is a member of the liprin family of scaffold proteins, originally described as intracellular ligands for the LAR family of transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatases, which play key roles in axon guidance, synapse formation, and mammary gland development[1][2][5][3]. Liprin-alpha-2 predominantly functions as a postsynaptic and presynaptic scaffold, regulating synaptic assembly by organizing the presynaptic active zone and mediating protein-protein interactions critical for neurotransmitter release and synaptic vesicle recruitment[3][1]. It interacts with proteins such as CASK and recruits LAR-RPTP family members to specific membrane sites. In the nervous system, PPFIA2 is essential for synaptic structure and function but is not typically classified as a direct therapeutic target such as a receptor, enzyme, or transporter[1][3][5][9]. Mutations or altered expression of PPFIA2 have been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, intellectual disabilities, and potentially in cancers based on pathway associations; however, there are no known drugs directly targeting PPFIA2 and the protein itself is not currently used as a clinical biomarker[8][5][1].

Other names

PTPRF interacting protein alpha 2Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type f polypeptide-interacting protein alpha-2Liprin-alpha2PTPRF-interacting protein alpha-2Protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type, f polypeptide (PTPRF), interacting protein (liprin), alpha 2PPFIA2