NPC2 Antibody – Rabbit Polyclonal

This gene encodes a protein containing a lipid recognition domain. The encoded protein may function in regulating the transport of cholesterol through the late endosomal/lysosomal system. Mutations in this gene have been associated with Niemann-Pick disease, type C2 and frontal lobe atrophy. [provided by RefSeq, Jul 2008]

NPC2: Intracellular cholesterol transporter which acts in concert with NPC1 and plays an important role in the egress of cholesterol from the endosomal/lysosomal compartment. Both NPC1 and NPC2 function as the cellular 'tag team duo' (TTD) to catalyze the mobilization of cholesterol within the multivesicular environment of the late endosome (LE) to effect egress through the limiting bilayer of the LE. NPC2 binds unesterified cholesterol that has been released from LDLs in the lumen of the late endosomes/lysosomes and transfers it to the cholesterol-binding pocket of the N-terminal domain of NPC1. Cholesterol binds to NPC1 with the hydroxyl group buried in the binding pocket and is exported from the limiting membrane of late endosomes/ lysosomes to the ER and plasma membrane by an unknown mechanism. The secreted form of NCP2 regulates biliary cholesterol secretion via stimulation of ABCG5/ABCG8-mediated cholesterol transport. Defects in NPC2 are the cause of Niemann-Pick disease type C2 (NPDC2). A lysosomal storage disorder that affects the viscera and the central nervous system. It is due to defective intracellular processing and transport of low-density lipoprotein derived cholesterol. It causes accumulation of cholesterol in lysosomes, with delayed induction of cholesterol homeostatic reactions. Niemann-Pick disease type C2 has a highly variable clinical phenotype. Clinical features include variable hepatosplenomegaly and severe progressive neurological dysfunction such as ataxia, dystonia and dementia. The age of onset can vary from infancy to late adulthood. Belongs to the NPC2 family.

Protein type: Secreted; Secreted, signal peptide

Chromosomal Location of Human Ortholog: 14q24.3

Cellular Component: endoplasmic reticulum; lysosome

Molecular Function: cholesterol binding; enzyme binding; protein binding

Biological Process: cholesterol efflux; cholesterol homeostasis; cholesterol metabolic process; cholesterol transport; glycolipid transport; intracellular cholesterol transport; intracellular sterol transport; phospholipid transport; regulation of isoprenoid metabolic process; response to virus

Disease: Niemann-pick Disease, Type C2