Autotaxin

Autotaxin, also known as ectonucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase 2 (NPP2 or ENPP2), is a secreted enzyme important for generating the lipid signaling molecule lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). Autotaxin has lysophospholipase D activity that converts lysophosphatidylcholine into LPA.

Autotaxin was originally identified as a tumor cell-motility stimulating factor and it was only later that it was shown that it is actually LPA (which signals through Lysophospholipid receptors), the lipid product of the reaction catalyzed by autotaxin, that is responsible for its effects on cell-proliferation.