Neuronal Pentraxin II (NPTX2)

Neuronal pentraxin 2 been identified by Hsu and Perin. It is related to a secreted member of the pentraxin family identified first in rats, termed NPTX1. Unlike NPTX1, which is expressed almost exclusively in neuronal tissues, NPTX2 is expressed in brain, testis, pancreas, liver, heart, and skeletal muscle. The protein is also being referred to as NARP, a secreted protein with features of a calcium dependent lectin, which acts as a neurotrophic factor promoting neuronal migration and dendritic outgrowth of neurons with the same potency as neurotrophins and growth factors . Reti et al have localized NARP in vasopressin neurons of the hypothalamus and in the posterior pituitary. Several stimuli known to trigger vasopressin release, i.,e., hypovolemia, dehydration, and endotoxin, elevate plasma Narp levels.