N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase like 2 (NAALADL2)

NAALADL2 (N-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase like 2) is a large protein encoded by the NAALADL2 gene in humans. It shares homology with the glutamate carboxypeptidase II (PSMA/FOLH1) family but lacks key active-site residues, and is believed to be catalytically inactive as a peptidase. The function of NAALADL2 remains unclear, but evidence supports a role in regulating cell adhesion, migration, and cell cycle. NAALADL2 is implicated in aggressive forms of prostate cancer, where gene amplifications and increased expression are linked to adverse outcomes, including higher Gleason grade and resistance to therapy. Copy-number gains at the NAALADL2 locus often occur with neighboring oncogenes in regions prone to genomic instability, driving broad oncogenic dysregulation. Its antisense lncRNA NAALADL2-AS2 is implicated in chemoresistance in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and modulates responses to drugs such as doxorubicin and rituximab by acting as a microRNA sponge to upregulate BCL-2 and MYC expression[1][2].

Other names

Inactive N-acetylated-alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase-like protein 2NAALADase L2Glutamate carboxypeptidase II-type non-peptidase homologueN-acetylated alpha-linked acidic dipeptidase 2

no drugs directly target NAALADL2; the mechanism is relevant for neighboring biomolecules and antisense lncRNA