RNA-binding protein Nova-2 (NOVA2)

RNA-binding protein Nova-2 (NOVA2) is a neuron-specific alternative splicing regulator that binds pre-mRNA in a sequence-specific manner, primarily in the central nervous system. It controls the expression of hundreds of different mRNA isoforms by modulating alternative exon inclusion or exclusion and is especially active during neural development. NOVA2 preferentially binds to YCAY motifs in intronic regions, playing a pivotal role in axonal guidance, neuronal migration, and cortical development by governing the splicing of genes involved in these pathways. Additionally, NOVA2 is the first RNA-binding protein known to globally promote circRNA biogenesis in the developing brain, with cell-type-specific effects on circRNA expression. NOVA2 is a well-conserved protein across species and shares high homology with Nova-1, another neural splicing regulator. It is not currently considered a direct therapeutic target or receptor for any approved drug, but autoantibodies against NOVA2 are an established biomarker for certain paraneoplastic neurological disorders. Loss or dysfunction of NOVA2 causes profound defects in neural development and may contribute to some human neurodevelopmental disorders.

Other names

NOVA alternative splicing regulator 2ANOVANOVA3Nova-2Astrocytic NOVA1-like RNA-binding proteinNeuro-oncological ventral antigen 2Neuro-oncological ventral antigen 3NEDASB