Neural EGFL Like 2
NRP2
Protein Kinase C-Binding Protein NELL2
NEL-Like Protein 2
Neural Epidermal Growth Factor-Like 2
NEL-Related Protein 2
Nel-Related Protein 2
Nel (Chicken)-Like 2
NEL-Like 2 (Chicken)
The protein encoded by this gene is a glycoprotein containing several von Willebrand factor C domains and epidermal growth factor (EGF)-like domains. The encoded protein acts as a homotrimer and is found in the cytoplasm. Several variants encoding a few different isoforms exist, and at least one isoform appears to be a secreted protein. Studies in mouse suggest that this protein plays a role in neural cell growth and differentiation as well as in oncogenesis. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 2009]
Forensic Context
A study in humans demonstrated that the NELL2 is an mRNA marker down-regulated with increasing age in peripheral blood, identified via microarray and validated by TaqMan qPCR [Zubakov et al. DOI:10.1016/J.Fsigen.2016.05.014]. Subsequent research in a Chinese human population confirmed the NELL2 as a differentially expressed gene showing a steady decline in expression with advancing age and overlapping with genes previously reported in other studies [Liao et al. DOI:10.1016/J.Fsigen.2025.103373]. A study in humans identified Neural EGFL like 2 as one of the top 10 downregulated differentially expressed genes in peripheral blood samples from myocardial infarction patients compared to healthy controls [Zhao et al. DOI:10.3892/etm.2017.5580].