Neuroplastin (NPTN)

Neuroplastin is a cell adhesion molecule encoded by the NPTN gene and a member of the immunoglobulin superfamily, present as multiple isoforms (notably np65, brain-specific, and np55, ubiquitous). It mediates cell-cell and cell-substrate interactions in the nervous system, especially at synapses. It plays critical roles in synaptic plasticity mechanisms essential for learning and memory, including long-term potentiation, and participates in neurite outgrowth and synapse maturation via signaling cascades such as the MAPK pathway and FGFR1 signaling. Neuroplastin is also a key auxiliary protein for plasma membrane calcium ATPases, regulating neuronal calcium homeostasis and modulating synaptic function. It is highly expressed in the brain, with emerging evidence for roles in cognition, neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders, neurodegenerative changes, and even as a molecular gatekeeper for cell energy metabolism by chaperoning monocarboxylate transporters. Although genetically and pathophysiologically linked to several diseases, neuroplastin is not currently a direct therapeutic target, and no drugs are known to modulate its function in clinical practice[1][2][3][4][5].

Other names

SDFR1SDR1SDR-1GP55GP65np65np55Stromal cell-derived receptor 1stromal cell derived factor receptor 1