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The protein encoded by ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 2 (autotaxin) functions as both a phosphodiesterase, which cleaves phosphodiester bonds at the 5' end of oligonucleotides, and as a phospholipase, which catalyzes production of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) in extracellular fluids. LPA evokes growth factor-like responses including stimulation of cell proliferation and chemotaxis. This gene product stimulates the motility of tumor cells, has angiogenic properties, and its expression is upregulated in several kinds of carcinomas. The gene product is secreted and further processed to make the biologically active form. Several alternatively spliced transcript variants have been identified, but the full-length nature of only two transcript variants has been determined.
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"I can normally tell how intelligent a man is by how stupid he thinks I am" - Cormac McCarthy, All The Pretty Horses
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