Brinp2, also known as BMP/RA-inducible neural-specific protein 2, belongs to the Membrane Attack Complex/Perforin (MACPF) superfamily. It is predominantly expressed in the developing and mature vertebrate nervous system [2,3,4]. BRINP family proteins are involved in processes like neuronal differentiation and cell-cycle regulation. During neuronal differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cell-derived neural stem cells, Brinp2-mRNA is highly expressed in neural stem cells and is induced upon differentiation into neuronal cells [5].

In gene-knockout mouse models, Brinp2 -/- mice are hyperactive, suggesting that Brinp2 dysfunction may be relevant to the association of ADHD with chromosome locus 1q25.2 [2]. In pancreatic cancer, Brinp2 was identified as a novel prognostic biomarker, and its associated long non-coding RNAs were used to construct a risk prediction model, indicating its potential role in tumor-related processes [1].

In conclusion, Brinp2 is crucial for normal neural development and may be involved in the regulation of behavior, especially in relation to hyperactivity disorders like ADHD. In addition, its potential as a biomarker in pancreatic cancer highlights its importance in disease-related research. The study of Brinp2 knockout mouse models has provided valuable insights into its functions in both normal development and disease conditions.

References:

1. Kang, Yixing, Xu, Xiangwen, Liu, Jikui. . System Analysis Based on Pancreatic Cancer Progression Identifies BRINP2 as a Novel Prognostic Biomarker. In Critical reviews in eukaryotic gene expression, 33, 1-16. doi:10.1615/CritRevEukaryotGeneExpr.2023048337. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/37602449/

2. Berkowicz, Susan R, Featherby, Travis J, Whisstock, James C, Bird, Phillip I. 2016. Mice Lacking Brinp2 or Brinp3, or Both, Exhibit Behaviors Consistent with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. In Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 10, 196. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27826231/

3. Berkowicz, Susan R, Giousoh, Aminah, Bird, Phillip I. 2017. Neurodevelopmental MACPFs: The vertebrate astrotactins and BRINPs. In Seminars in cell & developmental biology, 72, 171-181. doi:10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.05.005. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28506896/

4. Kawano, H, Nakatani, T, Mori, T, Watanabe, M, Matsuoka, I. . Identification and characterization of novel developmentally regulated neural-specific proteins, BRINP family. In Brain research. Molecular brain research, 125, 60-75. doi:. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15193423/

5. Terashima, Michiyo, Kobayashi, Miwako, Motomiya, Makoto, Minami, Akio, Matsuoka, Ichiro. . Analysis of the expression and function of BRINP family genes during neuronal differentiation in mouse embryonic stem cell-derived neural stem cells. In Journal of neuroscience research, 88, 1387-93. doi:10.1002/jnr.22315. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20025061/