2',3'-cyclic nucleotide-3'-phosphodiesterase (CNPase) is a membrane-bound enzyme that can link tubulin to membranes and may regulate cytoplasmic microtubule distribution. It plays an essential role in axonal survival but not in myelin assembly, coupling oligodendroglial functions in axonal support and myelination. This protein has 2 isoforms produced by alternative splicing with molecular mass of 45 and 48 kDa. CNPase is firmly associated with tubulin from brain tissue and thyroid cells and can be found at high concentrations in central nervous system myelin and in the outer segments of photoreceptors in the retina.
