NEFM/A0376

NEFM, also known as A0376, is the 160 kDa medium polypeptide that forms part of neurofilaments, which are involved in maintenance of neurite caliber.

NEFM, also known as A0376, is the 160 kDa medium polypeptide that forms part of neurofilaments, which are involved in maintenance of neurite caliber. NEFM is encoded on human chromosome 8p21. In one line of mice, targeted homozygous knock-out of the first exon led to reduced size of large myelinated motor neurons. Large myelinated axons of L4 ventral root motor neurons showed reduction in number and increased microtubule content in these mice. Absence of large myelinated axons in L4 ventral spinal roots was also observed. Variation in NEFM expression was found to influence response to antipsychotic medications.