Couples NMDA-sensitive glutamate receptor signaling to the nucleus and triggers long-lasting changes in the cytoarchitecture of dendrites and spine synapse processes. Part of the cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) shut-off signaling pathway. Stimulates outgrowth of olfactory axons and migration of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) and luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) neuronal cells. Interacts with KPNA1; the interaction occurs in a calcium-independent manner after synaptic NMDA receptor stimulation and is required for nuclear import of NSMF but is competed by CABP1. Interacts (via the central NLS-containing motif region) with CABP1 (via EF-hands 1 and 2); the interaction occurs in a calcium-dependent manner after synaptic NMDA receptor stimulation and prevents the nuclear import of NSMF. Cannot be competed by calmodulin. Found on the outside of the luteinizing-hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) cell membrane and axons projecting from the olfactory pit and epithelium (By similarity). Associates with transcriptionally active chromatin regions. Detected at the nuclear membranes of CA1 neurons. Cortical cytoskeleton. Localized in proximal apical dendrites. Colocalizes with CABP1 in dendrites and dendritic spines. Myristoylation is a prerequisite for extranuclear localization. Translocates from dendrites to the nucleus during NMDA receptor-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) induction of synaptic transmission at Schaffer collateral/CA1 synapses of hippocampal primary neurons and in an importin-dependent manner. Additional isoforms seem to exist. Expressed in the radiatum and pyramidale strata of the hippocampus (at protein level). Strongly expressed in the brain. Expressed in the sensory and motor cortex, hippocampus, olfactory bulb, thalamus and amygdala. In the olfactory bulb expressed in the granular cell layer, mitral cell layer and the glomerular layer. In the hippocampus highly expressed in the regions associated with neuronal cell types as CA1, CA2, CA3 and granule cells of the dentate gyrus. All isoforms have been detected in the molecular layers of the hippocampus (PubMed:19608740). Proteolytically processed after NMDA receptor activation. Cleaved in a calcium-dependent and calpain-sensitive manner. Calpain cleavage is essential for the translocation process from dendrites to the nucleus. NSMF mRNAs expressed in the hippocampus exhibit a prominent dendritic localization which is mediated by a dendritic targeting element (DTE) residing in the 3'-untranslated region (3'UTR). Transport from dendrites to the nucleus is induced by NMDA receptor activation and results in a rapid stripping of synaptic contacts and a reduction of dendritic complexity. Belongs to the NSMF family.