Herein we describe the characteristic features of the Anp32 family represented by the cerebellar leucine-rich repeat protein (Lanp) and the cerebellar developmental-regulated protein 1 (Cpd1). The Anp32 family consists of 32 evolutionarily-conserved proteins and is included within the superfamily of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins characterized by the presence of tandem arrays of a LRR, a structural motif implicated in the mediation of protein-protein interactions. We describe three novel human Anp32 proteins, reveal the evolutionary relationships of the members of the Anp32 family, provide insights into their biochemical and structural properties, and review their macromolecular interactions, substrate specificities, tissue distribution/expression patterns, and physiological and pathological roles. Recent findings indicate a conserved role of members of the Anp32 family during evolution in the modulation of cell signalling and transduction of gene expression to regulate the morphology and dynamics of the cytoskeleton, cell adhesion, neural development or cerebellar morphogenesis.