GDNF family of ligands

A 3D structure of GDNF

The GDNF family of ligands (GFL) consists of four neurotrophic factors: glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurturin (NRTN), artemin (ARTN), and persephin (PSPN). GFLs have been shown to play a role in a number of biological processes including cell survival, neurite outgrowth, cell differentiation and cell migration. In particular signalling by GDNF promotes the survival of dopaminergic neurons.[1]

  1. ^ Airaksinen M, Saarma M (2002). "The GDNF family: signalling, biological functions and therapeutic value". Nat Rev Neurosci. 3 (5): 383–94. doi:10.1038/nrn812. PMID 11988777. S2CID 2480120.