This gene encodes a member of the neuritin family, and is expressed in postmitotic-differentiating neurons of the developmental nervous system and neuronal structures associated with plasticity in the adult. The expression of this gene can be induced by neural activity and neurotrophins. The encoded
protein contains a consensus cleavage signal found in glycosylphoshatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored proteins. The encoded protein promotes neurite outgrowth and arborization, suggesting its role in promoting neuritogenesis. Overexpression of the encoded protein may be associated with astrocytoma progression. Alternative splicing results in multiple transcript variants. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2013]
The protein encoded by this gene is extracellular and enhances both neurite growth and neuronal survival. The encoded protein is found both as a GPI anchored membrane-bound form and as a secreted form. This activity-related ligand functions as a homodimer or heterodimer. [provided by RefSeq, Feb 201