The invention provides a human NMU2 which is associated with the hematological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, disorders of the peripheral and central nervous system, cancer, genitourinary diseases and respiratory diseases. The invention also provides assays for the identification of compounds useful in the treatment or prevention of hematological diseases, cardiovascular diseases, disorders of the peripheral and central nervous system, cancer, genitourinary diseases and respiratory diseases. The invention also features compounds which bind to and/or activate or inhibit the activity of NMU2 as well as pharmaceutical compositions comprising such compounds.