Neuregulin-2 (NRG2)

Neuregulin-2 (NRG2) is a member of the neuregulin family of epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like ligands that interact primarily with the ErbB3 and ErbB4 receptor tyrosine kinases, and can transactivate ErbB2[1][2][5]. NRG2 is produced as multiple isoforms due to alternative splicing, resulting in tissue-specific activities affecting growth, synchronization, and differentiation in epithelial, neuronal, glial, and other cell types[1][2][5]. In the nervous system, NRG2 is predominantly expressed in neurons and plays a critical role in neurodevelopment, synaptic plasticity, and possibly cellular stress responses[1][3]. Aberrant NRG2 signaling has been implicated in oncogenesis, especially in the context of gene fusions in solid tumors and in the regulation of cell migration in gliomas[1]. Reduced NRG2 expression has also been associated with neurodevelopmental impairment such as autism spectrum disorder and potentially ocular disorders such as glaucoma[1]. Unlike the closely related NRG1, NRG2 is dispensable for embryonic heart development but is important for normal postnatal growth and survival in mouse models[2]. NRG2 exerts its biological effects by acting as a growth factor and activating downstream signaling cascades via binding to ErbB-family receptor tyrosine kinases[1][4].

Other names

Pro-neuregulin-2, membrane-bound isoformNTAKPro-NRG2DON-1Don-1HRG2Divergent of neuregulin-1Neural- and thymus-derived activator for ERBB kinasespro-neuregulin-2NRG-2

Ligand binding to ErbB3 and ErbB4 receptor tyrosine kinases, which can activate ErbB2 by heterodimerization, leading to downstream proliferative and differentiation signaling