Background of the antigen
FARP2 is a 1,545 amino acid protein that contains one FERM domain, one DH domain and two PH domains. It exists as two alternatively spliced isoforms that are abundantly expressed in brain, lung, and testis as well as in embryonic hippocampal and cortical neurons. FARP2 functions as a Rho-guanine nucleotide exchange factor that activates RAC1 and is thought to regulate neurite remodeling of embryonic neurons. Sema3A binding to neuropilin-1 induces the dissociation of FARP2 from plexin-A1, thereby activating FARP2's Rac GEF activity which is critical for repulsion of outgrowing axons and suppression of neuronal adhesion. Downregulation of the FARP2 gene has been implicated in autism.
