GMF-beta, human recombinant

Glia Maturation Factor-Beta (GMF-Beta) is a 17 kDa protein nerve growth factor identified as a growth and differentiation factor in the vertebrate brain.Glia Maturation Factor-Beta stimulates differentiation of normal neurons as well as glial cells. GMFB inhibits the proliferation of the N-18 neuroblastoma line and the C6 glioma line while promoting their phenotypic expression. GMF-beta enhances the phenotypic expression of glia & neurons thus inhibits the proliferation of their respective tumors when added to cell culture. Cell- surface GMF-Beta acts on the target cells at close range when cells are in direct contact. GMF-Beta is produced by thymic epithelial cells and plays an important role in T cell development in favor of CD4+ T cells. GMF-Beta is a brain-specific protein which belongs to the actin-binding proteins (ADF) family. GMF-beta appears to play a role in the differentiation, maintenance, and regeneration of the nervous system. It also supports the progression of certain auto-immune diseases, possibly through its ability to induce the production and secretion of various pro-inflammatory cytokines.