Neurturin, a potent neurotrophic factor, was purified from Chinese hamster ovary cell-conditioned media by Kotzbauer et al. (1996). It is closely related to glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF). NRTN and GDNF form a distinct TGF-beta subfamily, referred to as TRNs (for 'TGF-beta-related neurotrophins'). Neurturin, like GDNF, is a ligand for the tyrosine kinase receptor RET. Signaling requires an additional GPI-linked protein, GDNF receptor-alpha.
NCBI Summary:
Neurturin is a member of the TGF-beta subfamily, TRN. This gene signals through RET and a GPI-linked coreceptor, and promotes survival of neuronal populations. A neurturin mutation has been described in a family with Hirschsprung Disease.
Neurturin (NTN) is a recently discovered neurotrophic factor related to glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and has a wide spectrum of biological roles in different types of neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems. It may act as a target-derived neurotrophic factor for innervating neurons and may have maintenance functions in non-neuronal cells of these adult organs.
Cellular localization
Secreted
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Ovarian function
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Expression regulated by
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Ovarian localization
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A widespread expression of NTN mRNA was found by Xian et al. (1999) in the selected organs of various systems, with a high level in pituitary intermediate lope, intestine, salivary gland, and testis, and a moderate level in ovary, adrenal gland, kidney, thyroid, and spleen. NTN peptide was also present in the peripheral organs studied, with its istribution corresponding to that of mRNA.