| Modification Notes |
Nucleobindin 2, also designated NUCB2 or NEFA, is a 420 amino acid protein that is predominantly expressed in spleen, testis and stomach. It localizes to the Golgi and cisternae of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and in the nuclear envelope of neurons in the brain. Nucleobindin 2 contains leucine-zipper and EF-hand motifs, two helix-loop-helix regions, and both a basic and an acidic amino acid region. The leucine zipper structure and the basic amino acid-rich region are responsible for DNA binding. It is a highly charged protein that binds Ca2+ via its EF-hand domains. Nucleobindin 2 is also expressed in the hypothalamic nuclei in rats, which may indicate a role in appetite control. Conversion of nucleobindin 2 to nesfatin-1 in the brain decreases food intake in rats. Nesfatin-1 is identified as a satiety molecule that is involved in mela-nocortin signaling in the hypothalamus. |