Neurturin

Neurturin
Identifiers
SymbolNRTN
Alt. symbolsNTN
NCBI gene4902
HGNC8007
OMIM602018
RefSeqNM_004558
UniProtQ99748
Other data
LocusChr. 19 p13.3
Search for
StructuresSwiss-model
DomainsInterPro

Neurturin (NRTN) is a protein that is encoded in humans by the NRTN gene. Neurturin belongs to the glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) family of neurotrophic factors, which regulate the survival and function of neurons. Neurturin’s role as a growth factor places it in the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) subfamily along with its homologs persephin, artemin, and GDNF.[1] It shares a 42% similarity in amino acid sequence with mature GDNF.[2] It is also considered a trophic factor and critical in the development and growth of neurons in the brain.[3] Neurotrophic factors like neurturin have been tested in several clinical trial settings for the potential treatment of neurodegenerative diseases, specifically Parkinson's disease.[4]

  1. ^ Widenfalk J, Nosrat C, Tomac A, Westphal H, Hoffer B, Olson L (Nov 1997). "Neurturin and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor receptor-beta (GDNFR-beta), novel proteins related to GDNF and GDNFR-alpha with specific cellular patterns of expression suggesting roles in the developing and adult nervous system and in peripheral organs". The Journal of Neuroscience. 17 (21): 8506–19. doi:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.17-21-08506.1997. PMC 6573771. PMID 9334423.
  2. ^ Kotzbauer PT, Lampe PA, Heuckeroth RO, Golden JP, Creedon DJ, Johnson Jr EM, Milbrandt J (1996). "Neurturin, a relative of glial-cell-line-derived neurotrophic factor". Nature. 384 (6608): 467–70. Bibcode:1996Natur.384..467K. doi:10.1038/384467a0. PMID 8945474. S2CID 4238843.
  3. ^ Golden JP, DeMaro JA, Osborne PA, Milbrandt J, Johnson EM (Aug 1999). "Expression of neurturin, GDNF, and GDNF family-receptor mRNA in the developing and mature mouse". Experimental Neurology. 158 (2): 504–28. doi:10.1006/exnr.1999.7127. PMID 10415156. S2CID 5755681.
  4. ^ Evans JR, Barker RA (Apr 2008). "Neurotrophic factors as a therapeutic target for Parkinson's disease". Expert Opinion on Therapeutic Targets. 12 (4): 437–47. doi:10.1517/14728222.12.4.437. PMID 18348680. S2CID 71281998.