Nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 2 (NAP1L2)

Nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 2 (NAP1L2) is a member of the NAP family of histone chaperones that associates specifically with chromatin and regulates histone acetylation, influencing transcriptional activity of key genes during neuronal differentiation and proliferation[2][3][1]. It is most highly expressed in postmitotic neurons and plays a crucial role in neural tube development; deletion leads to neural defects, altered stem cell renewal, and apoptotic changes[2]. Beyond the nervous system, NAP1L2 also affects bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell senescence and osteogenic differentiation, acting as a transcriptional regulator through its recruitment of deacetylation machinery to histone sites[1]. Elevation of NAP1L2 is associated with aging phenotypes, and experimental modulation with compounds such as nicotinamide mononucleotide shows promise in mitigating some age- or disease-related cellular effects[1]. Diseases associated with NAP1L2 include neurodevelopmental disorders (anencephaly), epilepsy, and osteoporosis[3][1].

Other names

NAP1L2BPXMGC26243Brain-specific protein, X-linkedbrain specific gene BPXnucleosome assembly protein 1-like 2brain-specific protein, X-linked

NMN may bind NAP1L2 and alleviate senescent phenotypes in cells by modulating chromatin accessibility and histone acetylation; NAP1L2 regulates histone acetylation by recruiting SIRT1 to deacetylate H3K14ac, affecting transcriptional activity