Olfm2, also known as noelin 2, is a pleiotropic protein belonging to the olfactomedin domain-containing protein family. It plays diverse roles in olfaction, energy homeostasis, and is involved in the regulation of smooth muscle phenotypic modulation, among others. It has been associated with pathways like TGF-β/Smad signaling. Genetic models, such as Olfm2 knockout mice, have been crucial in understanding its functions [1,2].

In Olfm2 null mice, there is anorexia, increased energy expenditure due to elevated brown adipose tissue thermogenesis and white adipose tissue browning, leading to resistance to high-fat diet-induced obesity, indicating its role in whole-body energy homeostasis [1]. In vascular studies, knockdown of Olfm2 in rats inhibits balloon injury-induced neointima formation, and knockout in mice suppresses wire injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia, suggesting its importance in smooth muscle phenotypic modulation in vivo [2].

In conclusion, Olfm2 is essential for multiple biological processes. Its knockout mouse models have revealed its significance in energy metabolism-related obesity and vascular remodeling diseases, providing valuable insights into the underlying mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets for these conditions.

References:

1. González-García, Ismael, Freire-Agulleiro, Óscar, Nakaya, Naoki, Fernández-Real, José Manuel, López, Miguel. 2022. Olfactomedin 2 deficiency protects against diet-induced obesity. In Metabolism: clinical and experimental, 129, 155122. doi:10.1016/j.metabol.2021.155122. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35026233/

2. Shi, Ning, Li, Chen-Xiao, Cui, Xiao-Bing, Tomarev, Stanislav I, Chen, Shi-You. 2017. Olfactomedin 2 Regulates Smooth Muscle Phenotypic Modulation and Vascular Remodeling Through Mediating Runt-Related Transcription Factor 2 Binding to Serum Response Factor. In Arteriosclerosis, thrombosis, and vascular biology, 37, 446-454. doi:10.1161/ATVBAHA.116.308606. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28062493/